Biochemicals from lignin: International collaboration on biocatalysis of lignin-derived compounds

Abstract

The chemical diversity of lignin-derived molecules has great potential to provide new building blocks for the synthesis of advanced biomaterials or pharmacologically active molecules. In this context, Dr. Priscila Giuseppe from LNBR and Dr. Magnus Carlquist from the LUND University have been working on biological strategies for lignin conversion into chemicals, within their respective institutional programs dedicated to the research and development of novel high-value applications of lignin. Dr. Priscila Giuseppe has a strong background in Structural Biology, being a specialist in Protein Crystallography, enzymology and enzyme engineering. Dr. Magnus Carlquist has a strong background in Applied Microbiology, being a specialist in microbial catalysis, flow cytometry for single-cell analysis and microbial engineering. Motivated by the complementarity of their expertise and the convergent aims of LNBR and Lund University on lignin bioconversion, Dr. Giuseppe and Dr. Carlquist wrote this proposal aiming to start the preparation of a larger joint project on biocatalysis of lignin-derived compounds. (AU)