Dissection and exploitation of xyloglucanases

Completed

Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Production of transport biofuels (incl. Production from wastes))
Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Production of other biomass-derived fuels (incl. Production from wastes))

Basic and strategic applied research

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry)

Not Cross-cutting

Prof G Davies
Chemistry
University of York

Research Grant

BBSRC

01 December 2005

30 November 2008

36 months

£225,495

Transport Systems and Vehicles

Yorkshire & Humberside

Prof G Davies, Chemistry, University of York

Prof KS Wilson, Chemistry, University of York

Objectives not supplied

The plant cell wall is a composite structure. Its most well characterised component is cellulose, whose loads-bearing fibres provide strength whilst maintaining flexibility. The long beta-1,4 glucan polymers form microcrystalline arrays stabilised by extensive intra and inter-chain hydrogen bonding. In vivo, the cellular chains are embedded in a mesh of hemicelluloses and lignin whose composition varies between, and defines, the different cell types. One of the key interactions of the cellulosic microfibrils, however, is their intimate relationship with xyloglucan: a branched polysaccharide which has recently been used to modify cellulosic materials for industrial applications. Here we will study nature¿s breakdown system for xyloglucan, xyloglucanases, with a view to dissecting and exploiting their subsite structure both for xyloglucan hydrolysis and the synthesis of novel tailored composites. The work will involve kinetic description on specifically-synthesised aryl-xyloglucan oligosaccharides, 3-D structure determination of three different xyloglucanases (a previously un-analysed enzyme class) and the exploration and exploitation of these enzymes and their mutants for the synthesis of novel oligosaccharides and cellulosic composites.

22/11/13