Objective White Biotechnology consists of modern applications for the sustainable processing and production of chemicals, materials and energy. It uses whole organisms and enzymes to synthesize products that are easily degradable, require less energy and create less waste during their production. Various agricultural, agro-industrial and forestry lignocellulosic residues are known to have a huge potential as cheap and renewable feedstocks for production of bioenergy and the opportunity of co-producing valuable-added chemicals. Lignocellulose represents the most abundant renewable organic resource. For the efficient decomposition of lignocellulose fungi utilise a set of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes recognized as economically viable and environmentally friendly industrial biocatalysts. To make industrial applications feasible,an efficient production system for these enzymes would be needed.This project focuses on the science underlying the use of lignocellulosic materials in biotechnological applications. To further enhance our understanding of decomposition of lignocellulose by fungal enzymes, the project focus on the characterisation and heterologous production of new lignocellulose decomposing enzymes. These enzymes will be isolated, biochemically characterized and corresponding genes will be cloned and expressed in selected host organisms. Recombinant protein expression techniques in ascomycetes are not yet in use for the basidiomycete enzymes in the Univ. of Helsinki (UHel) thus setting-up these techniques will be of great importance. The combination of skills gained by the applicant during her MC Fellowship at the Univ of Nottingham and the excellent facilities at UHel make the project feasible and the project outputs will underpin the future career development of the applicant. The project will enhance continuation of collaboration between Nottingham and UHel in a research area which is competitive and has increasing need for collaborations and inter-disciplinarity. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologymycologynatural scienceschemical sciencescatalysisbiocatalysisnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymesagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesforestry Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG - Marie Curie Action: "Reintegration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-ERG - European Re-integration Grants (ERG) Coordinator HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO EU contribution € 30 000,00 Address YLIOPISTONKATU 3 00014 Helsingin Yliopisto Finland See on map Region Manner-Suomi Helsinki-Uusimaa Helsinki-Uusimaa Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Katariina Vainio-Mattila (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data