Objectif
One of the main priorities of modern biotechnology is that of obtaining novel and stable biocatalysts. The aim of this project is to characterize novel metalloenzymes and to study their catalytic role on the carbon, sulphur or nitrogen pathways. For this purpose emphasis will be placed on xenobiotics degradation pathways (e.g. halomethanes, asphaltenes, polynuclear aromatic halogens) with special concern for environmental aspects.
The general aims are: to isolate from natural environments new strains of microorganisms able to grow either on cheap feedstocks (methanol, lignocellulosic hydrolysates) or able to degrade recalcitrant compounds (asphaltenes, PAHs) and/or exhibit uncommon growth requirements (e.g. thermophilic, hyperthermophilic, halophilic or alkalophilic organisms); characterise the organisms with respect to their physiology and enzymes profiles in order to detect novel pathways (novel enzymes) and products; to purify enzymes from extremophiles, namely alkalophilic and thermophilic organisms (sulphate-reducers, methylotrophs, etc) that could be of value in basic and/or applied aspects; to study the modulation of enzymatic activities in reversed membranes and liquid membranes for biological systems modelling, with relevance to the reconstitution of electron transfer chains.
Not only is the importance of thermostable enzymes well known for organic biotransformation since, generally speaking, such enzymes are more stable than organic solvents, but the utilization of enzymes derived from bacteria-degrading heavy carbonated substrates, such as asphaltenes, may be important in environmental control.
Thème(s)
Appel à propositions
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Data not availableCoordinateur
1699 Lisboa
Portugal