Biomass

Biography

Biography: Markku Saloheimo

Abstract

In biotechnical production processes of biofuels and chemicals from plant biomass, lignocellulose is converted to C5 and C6 sugars by hydrolytic enzymes. They form a major cost factor for the whole process. For this reason a lot of research and development work has been recently invested into making more efficient lignocellulose degradation enzyme cocktails and creating more efficient enzyme production strains. The major production host for biorefinery enzymes is the fungus Trichoderma reesei that can produce enzyme titres of over 100 g/l. Our institute has over 30 years of experience in the molecular, systems and synthetic biology as well as in strain improvement and bioprocess optimisation in this production system. We have used a number of different approaches to develop more potent hydrolytic enzyme mixtures and production strains with improved efficiency. For example, we have discovered novel enzymes from other filamentous fungi that can boost up the efficiency of the lignocellulose degradation enzyme mixtures. We have identified and deleted genes encoding major proteases that hamper the production of enzymes in T. reesei, in particular ones from a foreign organism. Furthermore, we have used systems biology approaches to identify new transcription factors regulating enzyme production, and enhanced enzyme productivity by modifying the expression of these factors. The establishment of better enzyme production and hydrolysis technology by these means will be discussed in the presentation.