SysCarb theme
Microbial Enzymes and Nano-Assemblies for Polysaccharide Utilization
A few words
Microbial Enzymes and Nano-Assemblies for Polysaccharide Utilization
Carbohydrates are ubiquitous in all cells in nature and essential to all forms of life. Throughout evolution they have evolve and lead to highly diverse and complex structures due to their chemical composition that play essential roles in our health, diet and are an important resource for the development of renewable energies and biomaterials.
The aim in Sys-Carb axis is to understand how protein systems produced by microorganisms degrade polysaccharides. This involves studying enzymes, multi-protein systems and transporters, constituting the key elements of polysaccharide metabolic pathways.
We are particularly interested in understanding:
- Which microorganisms and enzymes are important in an ecosystem for the degradation of oligo- and polysaccharides?
- What are the molecular determinants of protein-carbohydrate interactions?
- What factors influence enzymatic synergies?
- How do enzymes function in planta ?
- How do post-translational modifications, such as protein glycosylation, contribute to the recognition and hydrolysis of polysaccharides?
Theme coordinator: Claire Dumon
Ongoing projects
Bluetools projects
2023-2027
Bluetools Horizon CL6-2022-CIRBIO
Innovative tools for sustainable exploration of marine microbiomes: towards a circular blue bioeconomy and healthier marine environments
In BLUETOOLS, we explore marine microbiomes for novel enzymes involved in the breakdown of microbial, algal and marine plant polysaccharides. These innovative biocatalysts will be used for the production of oligosaccharides of interest for human health.
CONCERTO
2022-2025
ANR-21-CE43-0024
Controlled spatial prOximity for iNnovating enzymatic Cascades to Enhance biomass deconstRucTiOn
Enzymes play a crucial role in cellular metabolism. They can act either individually or in complex organizations with distinct catalytic activities. Complete hydrolysis of the plant cell wall requires a wide range of different enzymatic activities working in synergy as a cocktail of free enzymes or immobilized on a multi-protein complex bound to the outer cell membrane. In this configuration, spatial proximity and orientation of the catalytic site are thought to be of key importance in the cellulosome's particular efficiency in degrading plant biomass. Concerto aims to investigate the effect of spatial proximity of such a multienzyme complex by means of an original engineering approach combining enzymatic study, structure of the complex in solution and systematic analysis of the product profile released by the complex. The project aims to improve our understanding of enzyme synergy in order to produce tailor-made products from complex biomass.
LABEL
2023-2026
ANR-22-CE43-0012
Design of molecular assemblies to assess the role of glycosylation on hemicellulase activity
The role of glycosylation in glycoside hydrolases is not well elucidated, particularly with regard to enzyme-substrate interactions and the effect on their hydrolytic activity. Using site-specific incorporation of non-canonical amino acids and bioorthogonal chemistry, fluorescent glycosylated hemicellulases are prepared and studied, particularly in terms of substrate interactions. Their catalytic and diffusion potential is assessed within complex polysaccharide matrices mimicking the plant wall.
BIO4
2021-2024
Ademe
Development of a demonstrator to extract value from wood hemicellulose
The BIO4 project "Towards an Innovative Wood Biorefinery" aims to develop a process for extracting and adding value to wood hemicelluloses.
OPTI-ZYME
2023-2027
Ademe
Second-generation PET waste biorecycling process with optimized economic and environmental performance