The European sulfolobus project. Screening for and expressing thermostable enzymes of industrial interest from sulfolobus and other crenarchaeotes

Objective

The Crenarchaeotes constitute a kingdom of the Archaea that contains a very diverse range of microorganisms many of which are extreme- or hyperthermophiles. They differ extensively genetically and biochemically from Bacteria and Eukaryotes. Sulfolobus is the best studied of these organisms and most of ground-breaking work on this organism has been done in Europe. The purpose of this project is to exploit this European advantage and to screen for novel enzyme activities both at the genomic level and in an extensive and unique European collection of thermophilic Crenarchaeotes. Moreover, we will develop and refine vector systems for expressing these proteins in a range of Bacterial and Eukaryotic hosts by modifying the Archaeal genetic signals. In particular, we will develop, for the first time, a vector-host system for expressing Crenarchaeal enzymes in Sulfolobus on a large scale.

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-3. - Key action The "Cell factory"

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN

Address

Oester Voldgade 3
1350 Koebenhavn K/copenhaegen
Denmark

Participants (8)

EPIDAUROS BIOTECHNOLOGIE AG

Germany

Address

Am Neuland 1
82347 Bernried

MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH AUTHORITY

United Kingdom

Address

Porton Down
SP4 0JG Salisbury

NOVOZYMES A/S

Denmark

Address

Kroegshoejvej 36
2880 Bagsvaerd

TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK

Denmark

Address

Anker Engelundsvej 1, Building 101
2800 Lyngby

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI FEDERICO II

Italy

Address

Via Mezzocannone 16
80134 Napoli

UNIVERSITAET DARMSTADT/TU

Germany

Address

Schnittspahnstr. 10
64287 Darmstadt

UPPSALA UNIVERSITY

Sweden

Address

Sankt Olofsgatan 10 B
75105 Uppsala

WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY

Netherlands

Address

Bomenweg 2
6700 EV Wageningen