Marcel Ottens

Prof. Dr. Ir. Marcel Ottens is a Full Professor in the Department of Biotechnology at the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). He leads the Ottens Lab, which is focused on advancing bioprocess engineering through innovations in miniaturization, continuous processing, and high-throughput development.

His research interests span Micro Bio Systems Technology, Microfluidics, Protein Separation and Purification, Continuous Bioprocessing (including Simulated Moving Bed technology), Process Chromatography, and Fast Conceptual Bio(pharma) Process Design. His work integrates engineering principles with biotechnological applications to improve efficiency and sustainability in downstream processing.

The recent publications and ongoing projects reflect a strong trend toward model-based and high-throughput methodologies for biopharmaceutical and food-related processes, particularly in cultivated meat, vaccine development, and nutraceutical purification. The lab emphasizes integration of sensing, in-silico process development, and miniaturized screening platforms to accelerate innovation.

Prof. Ottens actively supervises a large cohort of PhD researchers working on diverse but interconnected topics in bioprocessing. Notable projects include cultivated meat process design, machine perfusion analytics, molecular modeling for chromatography, and sustainable protein isolation. The lab offers state-of-the-art services in high-throughput screening and purification process development.

He has contributed to key reference works in biotechnology and holds patents related to protein aggregation and bioparticle separation. His lab's work has been featured in interviews on national programs such as the Cellular Agriculture Growth Fund and at international conferences like BioProcess International.