Award details

Biodegradation of nitramine explosives

Reference	E11587
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Neil Bruce
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	University of Cambridge
Department	Institute of Biotechnology
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	189,958
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/09/1999
End date	01/09/2002
Duration	36 months

Abstract

This project is aimed at investigating the enzyme, RDX-lyase, that initiates the degradation of Royal Demolition Explosive (RDX) in Rhodococcus sp 11Y. RDX-lyase will be purified to homogeneity and fully characterised, which will include an investigation of the cleavage of the N-NO2 groups of RDX. Work will be directed at cloning, sequencing and overexpressing the gene encoding this RDX-degrading activity. It is intended to change the substrate specificity of the enzyme by randomly mutating libraries containing the RDX-lyase gene from which variants will be selected that have improved specificity towards other nitramine explosives. The use of the enzyme in colorimetric dipstick format for the detection of RDX will be investigated. Work will also be directed towards engineering transgenic plants to degrade RDX. (MOD joint grant scheme)

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Engineering & Biological Systems (EBS)
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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