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Content archived on 2024-04-30

Mechanistic studies and properties of galactose oxidase

Objective



Research objectives and content
Galactose Oxidase is a single copper enzyme from the Canadian woodrot fungus Fusarium dendroides. It oxidises/degrades primary alcohol, sugar/polysaccharide substrates to aldehydes, and is re-oxidised by oxygen with release of hydrogen peroxide. The structure has recently been determined and mechanistic studies are timely. To better understand substrate binding to copper, reactions with azide, thiocyanate and phenols will be studied. The copper will be replaced by other metals enabling the second redox component (a tyrosyl radical) and other features to be studied in what is a unique active site. Interesting thermochromic changes for Galactose Oxidase, an auto-redox interconversion taking 3h, the determination of reduction potentials by direct electrochemistry, and reduction of Galactose Oxidase with phenylhydrazine will also be investigated.
Training content (objective. benefit and expected impact)
Previous research has been in generating and studying phenol ate radicals in metal complexes as models for enzymes. There have been no opportunities to work on enzymes. Professor Sykes' group has extensive experience with metalloproteins, Galactose Oxidase being a recent additional interest. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience isolating and handling a free-radical containing enzyme in an important developing research area. Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)
Professor Sykes' group has Ph.D. student support/collaborations with Unilever Research for work on Galactose Oxidase.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

RGI - Research grants (individual fellowships)

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
EU contribution
No data
Address
Kensington Terrace 6 Bedson Building
NE1 7RU NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
United Kingdom
Total cost
No data

Participants (1)