Discovery, characterization, and application of carbohydrate-active enzymes from diverse biological niches

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The enzymatic synthesis and degradation of complex carbohydrates ranks among the most important biocatalytic processes in Nature. Thus, illuminating the catalytic diversity of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), as well as the specificity of associated carbohydrate-binding and carbohydrate-transport proteins is of crucial fundamental importance to biology. Fundamental enzyme discovery is likewise essential to the development of efficient industrial biotechnology applications, ranging from biomass processing for food, feed, fuel, and materials, to organic biocatalysis and medical uses. In this context, the central vision of my research program is to provide new insight into the function of individual enzymes and enzyme consortia from plants and environmental microorganisms (specifically ruminal bacteria, saprophytic bacteria, and saprophytic/phytopathogenic fungi). Genomes and transcriptomes will be mined using advanced molecular phylogenetic methods to identify target CAZymes, carbohydrate-binding proteins, and TonB-dependent transporters for recombinant production and detailed enzymological/biochemical characterization, as well as structural biology and reverse-genetic analysis via well-established collaborations. Unique in Canada in terms of its breadth and systems-based approach, this program will advance the fields of carbohydrate enzymology and glycobiology through three primary Objectives: (1) Elucidating the functional evolution of GH16 beta-glucan hydrolases and transglycosylases in plant cell wall biology, (2) Systems analysis of complex polysaccharide utilization loci from environmental bacteria (3) Discovery of novel copper-radical oxidases for (bio)materials functionalization. The focus of this program will be the production of high-impact, fundamental research output, although there is significant potential for the generation of intellectual property leading to the transfer of novel enzyme and microbial technologies to industry. Through multidisciplinary cross-training, including technical, communication, teamworking, and mentorship skills, the program will stage HQP to enter leading roles in Canada's high-tech forestry, agricultural, enzyme technology, and a range of other biotechnology industries.