Aerobic metabolism of aromatic compounds and biowaste

We study the aerobic pathways for degradation of aromatic compounds in Pseudomonas putida KT2440, a gamma-proteobacterium used as model organism in environmental biotechnology. The so far unknown potential of the strain KT2440 to attack and degrade polymeric lignin is a major research topic.  

As example of sustainable and environmentally-friendly bioprocesses we are developing, through systems metabolic engineering, recombinant biocatalysts for the efficient bioconversion of compounds present in fossil fuels, e.g., dibenzothiophene, lignin, e.g., monoaromatic compounds derived from depolymerization, or synthetic gas generated in biomass recycling, e.g.,  CO, H₂ y CO₂ , into added value products such as bioplastics (polyhydroxybutyrate) or precursors for polymers, drugs, and nutraceuticals. For these bioprocesses, P. putida and Ralstonia eutropha (Cupriavidus necator), a CO₂ fixing bacterium, are used as optimal bacterial chassis for heterotrophic and autotrophic conditions, respectively.