Marie-Francoise Gorwa-Grauslund is a Professor at Lund University's Faculty of Engineering (LTH), where she leads the Division of Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology. Her research centers on microbial metabolic engineering , particularly in Saccharomyces cerevisiae , with applications in bioethanol production, lignin valorization, and industrial biotechnology. She coordinates major projects like 'Turning pulp/paper side streams into bio-based nylon precursors' and 'Online yeast fitness monitoring for fermentation optimization'. Research Focus: Her group investigates pentose fermentation, inhibitor tolerance, stereoselective biocatalysis, and lignin bioconversion (via the lignin.lu.se initiative). Key areas include: Metabolic pathway engineering for bio-based chemicals (e.g., adipic acid, muconic acid) Redox homeostasis and stress tolerance in industrial yeasts Automated bioreactor systems using biosensors and flow cytometry Publication Trends: Recent work (2019–2025) emphasizes lignin valorization, yeast stress physiology, and Pseudomonas engineering for aromatic compound conversion. Over 50% of articles focus on optimizing biocatalysts for sustainable chemistry. Awards & Honors: Member of AcademiaNet (2017) Species Spathaspora gorwiae named in her honor (2016) Royal Physiographic Society membership (2011) Supervision & Grants: Actively advises PhD students on xylose metabolism, lignin valorization, and yeast cell factories. Secured projects include ERC funding and collaborations with industry partners like the Swedish Energy Agency. Labs & Teams: Heads the Microbial Metabolic Engineering Group, utilizing facilities for genomics, flow cytometry, and bioreactor arrays. Collaborates internationally via the eLignin database consortium.








