Home Institute: Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal
Main supervisor: Lígia O. Martins 
Co-Supervisors: Silvia Osuna (UDG) and
P. Ihalainen (MetGen)  
Required academic background: Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology and related areas. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in enzyme characterization and engineering.

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.