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Enzymatic tools for Seaweed Biorefinery - Biomass deconstruction and extraction of fine chemicals
New enzymatic tools and processes need to be developed for the proper utilization and processing of seaweed polysaccharides as renewable resource. We have different approaches to achieving this, and hence the project can be tailored to the candidate’s skills and interests.
Algae account for nearly half of the total photosynthesis that takes place on Earth and they may perhaps hold the key to address the challenges faced by humanity: energy scarcity and food security. Despite their abundance, they remain largely untapped. Seaweeds are a huge reservoir for a wide variety of biomolecules; the most abundant of such molecules are the polysaccharides that can vary from 4% of dry biomass and can reach as high as 75% in some species. Some of these biomolecules: ulvan, porphyran, can be used as anti-oxidants, anti-tumor agents, anti-coagulants and as nutraceuticals.
Seaweed polysaccharides are highly diverse in their nature and composition and vastly differ from their terrestrial plant counterparts. Currently available tools, which are majorly developed for the manipulation of terrestrial plant polysaccharides, may not be applicable to the processing of seaweed polysaccharides. Hence, new enzymatic tools and processes need to be developed for the proper utilization of this vastly unexploited renewable resource. We have different approaches to achieving this, and hence the project can be tailored to the candidate’s skills and interests.
Algae account for nearly half of the total photosynthesis that takes place on Earth and they may perhaps hold the key to address the challenges faced by humanity: energy scarcity and food security. Despite their abundance, they remain largely untapped. Seaweeds are a huge reservoir for a wide variety of biomolecules; the most abundant of such molecules are the polysaccharides that can vary from 4% of dry biomass and can reach as high as 75% in some species. Some of these biomolecules: ulvan, porphyran, can be used as anti-oxidants, anti-tumor agents, anti-coagulants and as nutraceuticals.
Seaweed polysaccharides are highly diverse in their nature and composition and vastly differ from their terrestrial plant counterparts. Currently available tools, which are majorly developed for the manipulation of terrestrial plant polysaccharides, may not be applicable to the processing of seaweed polysaccharides. Hence, new enzymatic tools and processes need to be developed for the proper utilization of this vastly unexploited renewable resource. We have different approaches to achieving this, and hence the project can be tailored to the candidate’s skills and interests.
**Major activities:** Enzyme discovery, overexpression, purification, analyses and activity assays, and application on seaweed biomass or its extracts.
The student will get hands-on experience with the following techniques: manipulation of DNA (PCR, cloning); protein production in E. coli and subsequent purification (Fast Performance Liquid Chromatography), identification and characterization (SDS-PAGE, western blotting and enzyme assays).
**Major activities:** Enzyme discovery, overexpression, purification, analyses and activity assays, and application on seaweed biomass or its extracts.
The student will get hands-on experience with the following techniques: manipulation of DNA (PCR, cloning); protein production in E. coli and subsequent purification (Fast Performance Liquid Chromatography), identification and characterization (SDS-PAGE, western blotting and enzyme assays).
This project is available to students of the http://idealeague.org partner universities. If you would like to contribute towards increasing our understanding of algal biomass, please contact us. We have an opening for an enthusiastic student researcher with interest in enzymes technology, molecular biology, analytical biochemistry, microbiology, and biotechnology.
**Duration:** 6-12 months (30 or 60 Credits)
**Contact:**
Postdoctoral researcher: Venkat Rao Konasani (konasani@chalmers.se);
Associate Professor: Eva Albers (eva.albers@chalmers.se)
This project is available to students of the http://idealeague.org partner universities. If you would like to contribute towards increasing our understanding of algal biomass, please contact us. We have an opening for an enthusiastic student researcher with interest in enzymes technology, molecular biology, analytical biochemistry, microbiology, and biotechnology.
Each year the IDEA League offers the students of its partner universities over 180 monthly grants for a short-term research exchange. In general, these grants are awarded based on academic merit. For more information visit http://idealeague.org/student-grant/