Research

Our research methods

Bioinformatics & enzyme discovery

We use bioinformatics and sequencing databases for sequence-based enzyme discovery, as well as reconstruction of ancestral enzymes as potential highly active biocatalysts. These methods can be useful from a fundamental scientific point of view, and in guiding our efforts in enzyme engineering and design.

In silico enzyme design

Enzyme catalysis evolved in an aqueous environment and water constitutes a cornerstone for the chemistry of life. Still the impact of solvent reorganization on enzyme catalysis and dynamics is usually neglected and remains poorly understood. We are interested in incorporating the rational design of water patterns in novel enzyme engineering strategies.

Protein mass spectrometry

We are capitalizing on state-of-the-art mass spectrometry to understand the impact of protein and solvent dynamics on enzyme catalysis.

Synthetic biology/artificial pathway design

We work with in vitro metabolic engineering to design artificial biosynthetic pathways for the upcycling of abundant natural terpenes. We combine biochemical process engineering, enzyme design and polymer technology to afford green routes towards renewable terpene-based materials.

Polymer technology

We are using different polymerization techniques, including controlled radical polymerization and ring opening polymerization to afford new bio-based materials such as polyester and polyacrylates. We further analyse the thermal properties, molecular weight distributions and the molecular structures of the obtained materials.

Our funding

The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research (Mistra; project Mistra SafeChem, Project No. 2018/11), the Gunnar Sundblad Research Foundation, the Swedish Research Council (VR, Grant No. 2016-06160), VINNOVA (Project C1Bio, Grant No. 2019-03174), the NovoNordisk Foundation (Project EazyPlast, Grant No. NNF20OC0064972, Formas and SSF.