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ITQB NOVA research on the spotlight

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Lígia Martins Lab’s work distinguished by the American Chemical Society
ITQB NOVA research on the spotlight

Oeiras, 17.10.2017

A recent paper by Lígia Martins Lab has been chosen by the American Chemical Society publications as one of the 20 promising works published in their journals. “ACS Select” collection highlights recent publications from the Journal of the American Chemical Society, ACS Catalysis, and Inorganic Chemistry that showcase the latest groundbreaking research in this field. According to ACS, the 20 selected articles “illustrate the great promise of biomolecular catalysts and the diverse range of applications and technologies in this flourishing area of chemistry”.
Lígia Martins Lab work on improving the properties of a bacterial enzyme for lignin degradation and valorization was one of the selected papers.  As stated by ACS Select:

“Using plants and trees to make products such as paper or ethanol leaves behind a sludge of lignin, a component of plant cell walls. Due to its recalcitrance to degradation, that leftover lignin isn't good for much and often gets burned or tossed into landfills. Lígia Martins and colleagues set up a directed evolution approach for improving a bacterial DyP peroxidase for the oxidation of lignin-related phenolics. The products could then be used for bulk and fine chemicals, materials, and biofuel. The variant they identify is resistant to high hydrogen peroxide concentrations, overcoming one of the main limitations to the biotechnological applications of peroxidase enzymes. This report highlights the value of directed evolution to generate enzymes with improved properties.”

Congratulations all.

 

Original article

ACS Catal. 2017, 7, 3454−3465 DOI 10.1021/acscatal.6b03331

Engineering a Bacterial DyP-Type Peroxidase for Enhanced Oxidation of Lignin-Related Phenolics at Alkaline pH

Vânia Brissos, Diogo Tavares, Ana Catarina Sousa, Maria Paula Robalo and Lígia O. Martins

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