Home Institute: Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal
Main supervisor: Lígia O. Martins 
Co-Supervisors: Silvia Osuna (UDG) and
P. Ihalainen (MetGen)  
PhD Candidate: Position open
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This project will identify engineered alkalophilic and hyperthermophilic laccases and DyP-type peroxidases for converting an array of vanillyl derivatives into vanillyl-derived polymer building blocks. Selected enzymes will be improved utilizing a combination of computational, rational and directed evolution design approaches. Previous known enzyme mechanistic details will be explored to advance knowledge and facilitate the engineering of enzymes.

Objectives:

  • Select appropriate enzymes for target substrates.
  • Design and implement computational and experimental approaches for enzymes’ improvement.
  • Biochemical and biophysical characterization of hit enzymes.
  • Set up of bioprocesses with lignin derivatives.

Expected results:

  • Tailored designs of stable ligninolytic enzymes with enhanced activity/selectivity for lignin monomer functionalization.

  • Obtain products (3-5 phenylpropanoid dimers) from the lignin phenolic monomers to be used as polymer’s building blocks.

  • Unveil enzymatic molecular basis of stereoselectivity and regiospecificity on the monolignol-derived radical-radical coupling leading to dimeric structures.