MetaCat
15 April 2019, by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Streit
A metagenomic collection of novel and highly efficient biocatalysts for industrial biotechnology
Within the ERA-IB project "MetaCat", a high number of different metagenomes has been exploited to form a collection of different industrially relevant enzymes like lipases/esterases, glycoside hydrolases, transaminases, ketoreductases and nitrilases. As common features, these biocatalysts should be highly active and robust, but most of all promiscuous. This means that the enzymes should be able to convert an extraordinary broad range of substrates under harsh reaction conditions with a clearly predictable outcome. These features are desired in many different fields of application, and production processes in bioindustry can be created much faster and more efficiently. In order to discover these enzymes, the Universität Hamburg exploited the enormous potential of microorganisms with complementary omics-approaches and developed a new cell-free expression system. At Bangor University, metagenomic libraries have been constructed and functionally screened for novel promiscuous enzymes. The Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf established novel and improved screening-hosts and produced and characterized novel enzymes biochemically and structurally. Besides screening and testing novel enzymes, Bayer developed a new cost calculation tool for enzyme-based production processes. Novozymes was involved in the development of novel expression strategies to extend the product portfolio with new robust enzymes. Sequence-based searches for novel biocatalysts, their recombinant production and assessment of their usability were accomplished at evoxx. High cell density fermentation, purification and detailed biochemical and reactivity profile characterization have been performed at the Institute of Catalysis of the CSIC (Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas).
The project "MetaCat" resulted in a collection of 150 promiscuous and highly versatile enzymes and currently 19 publications and 2 patents.
More information on the project: DOI: https://doi.org/10.21820/23987073.2018.5.82