Home Institute: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands
Main supervisor: Marco Fraaije
Co-Supervisors: B. Sels (KULeuven) and
Nikola Loncar (GECCO)  
Required academic background: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology or a related field, preferably with experience in enzyme production, purification and characterization and/or chemical analysis techniques.

This project will identify and produce heme-containing peroxygenases, (per)oxidases, and dirigent proteins that steer biomolecular coupling reactions toward regio- and stereospecific product formation. Combined enzymes will be evaluated in cascade reactions, and the formed oligo- and polymers will be analyzed. Additionally, computational redesign of the enzymes in the active site to accommodate bulky substrates will be conducted, followed by testing for functionalization and polymerization of lignin monomers.

Objectives:

  • Identification and setting up production of stable oxidases, heme-containing peroxygenases.

  • Identification and setting up production of enzymes for cascade reactions.

  • Evaluation of combined use of peroxygenases and (per)oxidases with other enzymes/proteins followed by analysis of formed oligo- and polymers.

  • Computational redesign of peroxygenase for active site that accommodates bulky substrates.

  • Producing and testing engineered peroxygenase for functionalization and/or polymerization of lignin monomers.

Expected results:

  • A set of oxidative enzymes active on lignin aromatic and aliphatic mono-, oligo- and polymers.
  • Novel synthesis procedures will be developed for generating defined aromatic oligomers.
  • The engineered peroxygenases will allow modification and polymerization of lignin monomers.
  • The generated biocatalysts will be available and tested for industrial use.