Protein Technology
Professor Emma Master leads the Protein Technology research group. The goal of the group is to discover, design and produce enzymes and non-catalytic proteins that can be used to create new polymers and chemicals from plant fiber.
Research aims to find tools for sustainable utilization of renewable plant resources
Forest biomass (lignocellulose) is largely made up of three polymers, cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. Today, cellulose fibers are the main product of pulp mills across Finland and globally, while over 50% of the wood biomass resource remains underutilized. Our research focuses on the discovery and development of new proteins that can be used to sustainably synthesize novel, high-value biomaterials from underutilized and renewable plant resources.
Enzymes are tools with advantages
Enzyme catalyzed reactions benefit from four key advantages.
- Specificity that allows predictable modification of complex substrates.
- Exquisite tunability through protein discovery and engineering
- Operation in mild reaction conditions that can reduce energy costs and undesired transformation of starting materials.
- Biodegradability, which helps to ensure the sustainability of the synthesis process as well as end product.
The Protein Technology group mines unexplored genomic data from plant biomass degrading microorganisms to discover new enzymes and non-catalytic proteins able to create valuable, bio-based products from plant polysaccharides. To support this objective, our group also designs and develops new enzyme screens to address the increasing limitations of existing assays.
Examples of ongoing research projects
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Bio-derived HIgh Value polymers through novel Enzyme function (BHIVE)
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Capturing Oxidoreductases for Carbohydrate Oligomer Activation (COCOA)
Publications
Contact information
Emma Master
Professor (FiDiPro)
emma.master [at] aalto [dot] fi
+358 50 4330 090
Visiting address
Kemistintie 1
FI-02150 Espoo
Postal address
Po. Box 16100
FI-00076 Aalto
Finland