UNLOCK - Large-scale open infrastructure for microbial research
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In short- Advanced and specialised microbial research equipment
- Higher quality and more innovative microbial research
- Collaborative and supportive environment
- Flexibility and efficiency
- Rapid development times and cost-effectiveness
UNLOCK provides access to unique facilities and state-of-the-art equipment to conduct innovative experiments and address novel research questions on microbial communities. Established and operated by experts from TU Delft and Wageningen University & Research, UNLOCK offers expert support and is easily accessible to researchers worldwide, with highly subsidized access for academic users.
What can you do at UNLOCK?
At UNLOCK you can perform cutting-edge microbial research using an integrated set of experimental and data platforms that support the full microbial research workflow — from experimental design to cultivation, monitoring, molecular analysis and data interpretation.
Academic and industrial researchers can discover new microorganisms, design and test mixed microbial communities, run controlled bioprocess experiments, and generate high-quality multi-omics datasets for innovation in biotechnology, food, health, and sustainable production.
UNLOCK consists of four specialised platforms:
- Biodiscovery Platform – discover and characterise novel microorganisms, ranging from aerobes to strict anaerobes, and characterize composition and function of microbial communities.
- Modular Bioreactor Platform – investigate sustainable solutions for environmental challenges, such as degradation of (micro)pollutants, sustainable energy generation and resource recovery from complex waste streams.
- Parallel Cultivation Platform – perform dozens of controlled bioreactor experiments simultaneously under diverse conditions.
- FAIR Data Platform – store, process and analyse large datasets in a secure, cloud-based environment built according to FAIR principles.
This combination provides access to facilities and expertise that are not commonly available in most laboratories due to cost, complexity or throughput limitations, enabling higher-quality, faster and more innovative microbial research.
Who is UNLOCK for?
UNLOCK is designed for academic researchers, SMEs, start-ups, industry partners and consortia working on microbial ecology, biotechnology, bioprocessing, systems biology, biobased production, food and health innovation, and sustainable solutions for environmental challenges such as degradation of (micro)pollutants, sustainable energy generation and resource recovery.
The infrastructure follows a broad, transparent and non-discriminatory access policy aligned with the European Charter for Access to Research Infrastructures, ensuring availability to both academic and commercial users.
Why choose this facility?
We offer:
- Joint expertise from TU Delft and Wageningen University & Research
- Access to complementary facilities: biodiscovery, bioreactors, parallel cultivation and FAIR data infrastructure
- State-of-the-art equipment fully installed and ready for use
- Highly subsidized access for academic users
- Full scientific and technical support across all stages of a project
- Flexible usage model where you can rent facilities and time as needed
Questions about this facility?
Do you have any questions about UNLOCK research infrastructure? Get in touch.
prof.dr. H (Hauke) Smidt
Personal chair