LanthaGen Bio

Recovering critical metals from industrial waste

We extract lanthanides from e-waste and mine tailings using engineered proteins — a selective, low-toxicity alternative to conventional chemical separation.

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The platform

A biological separation column

Packed with engineered proteins that bind rare earth metals with extraordinary selectivity. Feed it acidic leachate from e-waste, mine tailings, or ore — collect a purified lanthanide stream. No harsh solvents. No toxic waste.

A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) cross-section showing embedded lanthanide-bearing components like capacitors and magnets, surrounded by iron, calcium, and other metals
Acid leaching lanthanides and other metals from a PCB usng acid, which bubbles as it interacts with the PCB.
Empty column before loading — protein binding sites ready to receive lanthanide ions from acidic leachate
Chromatography column loading phase — lanthanide ions binding to protein sites while competing metals pass through
Column cross-section: wash phase — all binding sites occupied, impurities flushing out
Column cross-section: elution phase — bound lanthanides released as purified stream
Flask containing enriched lanthanide solution, glowing to indicate high purity and concentration
Engineered lanthanide-binding protein with two globular lobes connected by alpha-helix linker, showing EF-hand binding sites
Feedstocks

From e-waste and mine tailings

Electronics waste contains valuable lanthanides like neodymium and dysprosium.

Stage 00 · Leach

Acid leaching

Acid dissolves lanthanide-bearing material into a mixed-metal solution.

Stage 01 · Load

Biological separation column

Packed with engineered proteins that bind rare earth metals with extraordinary selectivity.

Stage 02 · Load

Column loading

The mixed-metal solution is passed through the column. Lanthanide ions bind selectively to the engineered proteins while other metals flow through.

Stage 03 · Wash

Highly selective retention

A impurities are washed away. The engineered proteins selectively bind to lanthanides.

Stage 04 · Elute

Pure lanthanide recovery

Lanthanides are released in a concentrated, high-purity stream. The column is regenerated and ready for the next cycle.

Product

Enriched lanthanides

Elute a concentrated, high-purity lanthanide solution ready for further processing.

The science behind it

Engineered for selectivity

We pack columns with our ultra selective lanthanide-binding proteins. Engineered using state of the art quantum mechanics, AI and directed evolution to to selectivity bind to valuable metals.

Who we are

Founded in Manchester.
Built on serious science.

LanthaGen Bio was founded at the University of Manchester and is now based at CityLabs 4.0. We combine synthetic biology, computational protein design, and process engineering to build a more sustainable supply chain for rare earth metals.

The LanthaGen Bio team
Dr Sahara Bhanot

Dr Sahara Bhanot

CEO & Co-Founder
Leads the company's strategy, operations, and commercial development.
Dr Dan Healy

Dr Dan Healy

Co-Founder
Drives scientific vision.
Dr Ellie Goulding

Dr Ellie Goulding

CTO & Co-Founder
Leads technology development and protein engineering.
Latest

News

March 2026

Elemental Engineering Biology Hub — Business Interaction Voucher

Awarded funding in partnership with Professor Sam Hay at the University of Manchester to develop next-generation lanthanide-binding proteins.

January 2026

SPRIND Non-Dilutive Funding — €1.31M

Secured €1.31M in equity-free funding from Bundesagentur für Sprunginnovationen (SPRIND) to accelerate platform development.

July 2025

Ideas with Impact Award — £75,000

Awarded £75,000 by the University of Manchester's Ideas with Impact programme to fund bio-mining research.

Join us

We're building the team

LanthaGen Bio is growing. We are looking for people who want to work at the intersection of synthetic biology, protein engineering, and industrial process chemistry — and who care about where critical minerals come from.

We are actively hiring. View our current openings on LinkedIn.

View open roles on LinkedIn →

Don't see your role? Send us your CV →

Get in touch

Let's talk

Want to know more? We want to hear from you.

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