Capturing Oxidoreductases for Carbohydrate Oligomer Activation (COCOA)

The aim of the project is to mine genomics data for biocatalysts that sustainably generate bifunctional building blocks from underutilized hemicellulose fractions, permitting their re-assembly into novel biopolymers with valuable functionality. The specific focus is to screen putative carbohydrate oxidoreductases that could be utilized to activate oligomeric hemicelluloses, leading to building blocks ("bio-lego") for novel biopolymer synthesis and applications.

The project will advance our fundamental knowledge of biocatalysis with wide-reaching biological and applied consequences. In particular, the project will accelerate the application of genomics research in the bioproducts sector, thereby supporting Finland’s emerging bioeconomy and commitment to smarter use of renewable bioresources.