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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Bioproducts Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #314761

Title: Nanostructure enzyme assemblies for biomass conversion

Author
item Lee, Charles
item Kibblewhite, Rena
item TEMPLETON, PAUL
item Orts, William
item PAAVOLA, CHAD - NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA)
item WAGSCHAL, KURT

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/27/2015
Publication Date: 8/10/2015
Citation: Lee, C.C., Kibblewhite, R.E., Templeton, P.D., Orts, W.J., Paavola, C., Wagschal, K.C. 2015. Nanostructure enzyme assemblies for biomass conversion. 37th Symposium for Biotechnology. Meeting Abstract. PSI: M110.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Biomass represents a vast resource for production of the world’s fuel and chemical feedstock needs. The use of enzymes to effect these bioconversions offers an alternative that is potentially more specific and environmentally-friendly than harsher chemical methodologies. Some species of anaerobic bacteria produce enzyme complexes called cellulosomes which are particularly effective in hydrolyzing biomass into the constituent monomeric sugars. Inspired by this model, we have designed an artificial cellulosome-like scaffold upon which we can create complexes incorporating a wide variety of enzymes. Using these customized complexes, we have demonstrated enhanced biomass hydrolysis as well as bioconversion into value-added chemical feedstocks.