Lígia O. Martins
project coordinator

Lígia O. Martins is an experienced Enzymologist and Head of the Microbial and Enzyme Technology Lab. She has led cutting-edge research in Molecular Biotechnology, focusing on biocatalytic processes for selective lignocellulose valorization. As both a team member and coordinator in large EU-funded projects, she has (i) pioneered the identification and characterization of bacterial laccases and pyranose oxidases; (ii) enhanced oxidoreductive enzymes via directed evolution, uncovering the role of allosteric mutations and epistatic interactions; and (iii) designed sustainable enzymatic bioprocesses, achieving 100% yields in the production of (neo)lignans and rare sugars from.

She has extensive experience supervising postdoctoral researchers and PhD candidates and currently serves on the Biocatalysis Board of the European Federation of Biotechnology.