At the heart of the OXIPRO project’s mission lies the transformative potential of oxidative enzymes, like laccases, to power sustainable industrial innovation. In Chapter 9 of the newly published Laccase and Polyphenol Oxidase, OXIPRO partners Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) and Novonesis demonstrate how cutting-edge computational techniques are revolutionizing laccase discovery and engineering.
Authored by the project teams at BSC and Novonesis, “In Silico Bioprospecting and Engineering Laccases: Methods and Applications” is a ground-breaking exploration of how technology can overcome the barriers to industrial adoption of laccases, enabling them to fulfil their promise as eco-friendly biocatalysts.
What Makes This Chapter a Game-Changer?
- Pioneering Computational Tools
The Barcelona Supercomputing Center shares its expertise in computational modelling, showcasing how advanced simulations can identify and optimize laccase variants. This approach drastically reduces experimental trial-and-error, saving time and resources while accelerating innovation. - Industrial Insights from Novonesis
Novonesis, a key player in enzyme applications, brings industrial perspective to the research. Their work highlights the real-world challenges of deploying laccases in industries such as textiles, paper, and bioenergy, and how computational solutions are turning these challenges into opportunities. - Breakthrough Case Studies
The chapter features detailed examples of how BSC and Novonesis have collaborated to combine large-scale data analysis, molecular modelling, and AI-driven approaches to engineer laccases with improved stability, efficiency, and specificity. - Driving OXIPRO’s Vision
This work exemplifies the OXIPRO project’s objectives in action. By harnessing the expertise of its partners, OXIPRO is unlocking the potential of oxidative enzymes, paving the way for sustainable solutions to industrial challenges.
Why Laccases Matter
Laccases, natural “green” catalysts, are enzymes that drive chemical reactions using oxygen, producing only water as a by-product. Their versatility makes them ideal for applications ranging from waste treatment to bioproduct development. Yet, challenges such as high production costs and limited performance in extreme conditions have hindered their widespread use—until now.
A Must-Read for Researchers and Innovators
This chapter is not just a contribution to the field of enzymology and a testament to the successful collaboration of the OXIPRO partners. Whether you’re a researcher, an industrial innovator, or someone passionate about sustainable technology, this work by BSC, Novonesis and ICREA is a blueprint for how science and industry can unite to create a greener future.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780443133015000093
Chapter 9 – In silico bioprospecting and engineering laccases: Methods and applications
Ruite Xiang 1; Martin Floor 1; Lars H. Østergaard 2; Kirk M. Schnorr 2; Victor Guallar 1 3;
1 Department of Life Sciences, Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona, Spain
2 Department of Molecular Discovery, Novonesis, Lyngby, Denmark
3 Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain