BIOCATALYSIS
Biocatalysis involves using one or more enzymes, either as cell-free enzymes or enzymes in whole cells, to convert a substrate into a value-added product. The Biocatalysis Group strives to convert alkanes, alcohols, fatty acids or monoterpenes into value-added building blocks of pharmaceuticals, bioplastics, cosmetics, flavours or fragrances. The research strongly focuses on solving the three-dimensional structures of relevant biocatalysts through X-ray crystallography to investigate structure-function relationships. The research also involves catalyst improvement through rational design and directed evolution, as well as metabolic engineering and process development, to further improve the industrial applicability of specific biocatalysts.
BIOREMEDIATION
Green chemistry, or white biotechnology, addresses all the microbial metabolism (cell factories) applied to transform industrial and urban wastes into specific molecules used as pharmaceuticals, fuels, and fine chemicals. Metabolic engineering and induction of specific metabolism have been widely used to produce metabolites of interest in green chemistry. In the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, the applied and environmental microbiology group focuses on understanding the effect of toxic metals as external inducers for the overproduction of secondary metabolites.