Animal-free collagen and collagen-promoting peptide production through engineered recombinant yeast
Proven recombinant yeast platform for the secretory production of animal-free, single-chain collagen proteins at gram-per-liter concentrations. The team engineers custom yeast strains to produce specific collagen chains or bioactive peptides that promote collagen and elastin synthesis in skin cells. Production is available from benchtop to 100-liter scale for functional testing, supporting applications in cosmetics, medical materials, and nutrition.
Overview
Wageningen University & Research offers a proven biotechnology platform for the secretory production of animal-free, collagen-inspired proteins using recombinant yeast. Since the late 1990s, the team has pioneered the production of single-chain collagen molecules at gram-per-liter concentrations, and this approach has been commercially adopted by companies in the medical and cosmetics sectors. The current offering extends to custom engineering of yeast strains that produce specific collagen chains or bioactive peptides known to promote collagen and elastin synthesis in dermal fibroblasts, enabling applications in cosmetics, skincare, medical materials, and nutritional products.
Technical specifications
The platform builds on more than 30 years of expertise in recombinant protein production. Key capabilities include:
- Secretory production of animal-free, single-chain collagen proteins in recombinant yeast at gram-per-liter levels
- Custom engineering of yeast strains to produce specific collagen chains or peptide sequences identified from literature or customer research
- In-house fermentation and downstream processing capacity up to 100-liter scale
- Supply of purified proteins or peptides for functional testing
- Stage-gated project execution from benchtop to pilot scale
- Flexible engagement model: as a non-profit contract research organization, the group provides the client with the developed strains and all associated rights for a given field of use
The collagen chains produced represent a mixture of fragments of different lengths; upon digestion, these may be further fragmented and release bioactive peptides that promote collagen and elastin synthesis in skin cells. Alternatively, specific desired peptides can be produced directly.
Technology readiness level
The core technology for producing animal-free collagen chains has been commercially validated in medical and cosmetics applications and is at technology readiness level 9. Production of novel, customer-defined sequences will begin at lower TRL and is advanced through stage-gated projects. The team can supply material at benchtop scale or up to 100 liters for functional testing.
About Wageningen University and Research
Wageningen University & Research is a life sciences–focused public university combined with mission-driven research institutes, integrating fundamental, applied, and field-based R&D at scale. On Wageningen Campus, companies co-locate with WUR teams and use shared pilot plants, advanced analytical labs, and controlled‑environment facilities for rapid prototyping. Being in the Food Valley cluster provides tight links to global corporates, SMEs, and startups through living labs and a strong regional talent pipeline. Research is backed by competitive funding from the Dutch Research Council, European Union programs, and national ministries, alongside significant contract research for industry. A dedicated technology transfer office and campus incubators streamline IP, licensing, and spin‑out formation for corporate partners and entrepreneurs.
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