Zinn Manfred

Professor Zinn Manfred serves as a Professor HES Ordinaire and leads the Biotechnology and Sustainable Chemistry research group at HES-SO Valais-Wallis, specifically within the Haute Ecole d'Ingénierie (School of Engineering) in the Department of Chemistry and Life Sciences. His work focuses on developing sustainable biopolymer solutions with emphasis on biodegradable materials that can replace conventional plastics.

Professor Zinn's primary research interests center around biotechnology and sustainable chemistry, particularly in the field of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and other bioplastics. His work spans microbial biosynthesis of biopolymers, process analytical technology for bioreactor monitoring, biocompatibility testing, and the development of sustainable production methods using renewable resources. His research addresses critical environmental challenges related to plastic pollution by developing biodegradable alternatives with applications in biomedical engineering, packaging, and other industrial sectors. He investigates both fundamental microbial metabolism and applied industrial scale-up challenges, working at the intersection of microbiology, polymer science, and process engineering.

Analysis of Professor Zinn's publication record reveals a strong focus on advancing biodegradable polymer technology, particularly polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). His work spans fundamental research on microbial biosynthesis mechanisms, enzyme engineering for improved polymer production, and practical applications of bioplastics in industrial settings. A significant portion of his recent work addresses the challenges in scaling up bioplastic production and bringing these materials to market, including metallization techniques for biodegradable plastics, continuous production methods, and value chain analysis for commercialization. His research demonstrates an integrated approach that combines microbiology, polymer chemistry, and process engineering to develop sustainable materials solutions.

• Prime de soutien au montage de projets Innosuisse - projet "Biosynthesis of Chlorella" (2019-2024)
• FNS IZJFZ2_185638 / 1 Electroplating processes for biodegradable materials (2019-2023)
• ITV19socle_Online flow cytometry analysis of microbial bioplastic production (2019)
• BIOFLEX, HES-SO Interdisciplinary Programme (2013-2015)

Professor Zinn has secured significant research funding from multiple sources including Innosuisse, the Swiss National Science Foundation (FNS), and internal HES-SO grants. His projects typically involve interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers across Switzerland and internationally, such as with the Frauenhofer Institute and Chulalongkorn University Bangkok. He has supervised numerous research projects focusing on bioplastic production, characterization, and application development. His laboratory, the Biotechnology and Sustainable Chemistry research group, employs advanced techniques including flow cytometry for bioprocess monitoring, bioreactor systems for microbial cultivation, and polymer characterization methods. The group actively develops methods for producing PHA from various carbon sources, including waste streams and synthesis gas, with applications ranging from medical devices to sustainable packaging solutions.