Award details

Molecular architecture of microbial cellulases and hemicellulases and the relationship between structure and function

Reference	BBS/E/B/16001020
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Geoffrey Hazlewood
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Babraham Institute
Department	Babraham Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	160,238
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1997
End date	31/03/1998
Duration	12 months

Abstract

To understand how microbial cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes fulfil their roles in the natural world and to fully exploit their commercial potential will require a detailed understanding of their structure and function. This multidisciplinary project uses techniques of molecular biology, biochemistry and structural biology to characterise the components of the cellulase/hemicellulase systems of mesophilic and thermophilic microorganisms at the molecular level. Cellulase and hemicellulase genes will be isolated and sequenced and the biochemical properties of the encoded proteins will be determined and related to their deduced primary structures. The 3D structures of catalytic domains of key cellulases and hemicellulases will be determined by X- ray crystallography and the catalytic mechanisms elucidated. This project benefits from a longstanding and extensive collaboration with a linked research group at the University of Newcastle, and from other collaborations with groups at the Institute of Food Research and the University of Tel Aviv. This work is concerned with the characterisation of macromolecules, the determination of structure and with factors affecting the biological activity and commercial potential of enzymes; it is directly relevant to CPD themes Biomolecular Design and Applied Biocatalysis and relevant to the Chemicals Foresight priority in Biochemical Technology to develop proteins with special functions for use in agriculture, food production and to meet environmental demands for clean technology and waste degradation. This research benefits the enzyme industry by providing important new knowledge on how plant cell walls are degraded, and recombinant enzymes with commercial uses. We interact extensively with our users, notably Finnfeeds International Ltd, Zeneca Bioproducts Ltd and Genencor International B.V. who regularly evaluate our enzymes for their potential in a range of commercial processes.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Plant & Microbial Sciences (PMS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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