Description
Oil biodesulfurization
The oxidation of the sulfur present in fossil fuels is one of the main causes of the acid rain and smog. Biodesulfurization is devoted to use the abilities of some microorganisms to reduce the sulfur content of fossil fuels. We are addressing the role of the DszB desulfinase as the limiting step of the dibenzothiophene (DBT) desulfurization. Moreover, we are engineering a novel catabolic pathway for the complete mineralization of DBT in recombinant Pseudomonas strains that express simultaneously the dsz genes for DBT desulfurization from Rhodococcus sp. IGTS8 and the hbp genes for the catabolism of 2-hydroxybiphenyl, the aromatic end product of biodesulfurization, from Pseudomonas azelaica. The biodesulfurization efficiency of the new generation of biodesulfurizers is being tested in bioreactors in collaboration with the group of Dr. F. García-Ochoa (Univ. Complutense de Madrid) and E. García-Calvo (Univ. Alcalá de Henares, Madrid).
BioenergyThe use of renewable energy sources is acquiring a great relevance in the energy sector at a world level. One of these sources are the bio-carburants such as bio-diesel. However, the production of this carburant generates subproducts, as glycerol, which should be reused in order to avoid the possibility that it could become a contaminant residue. The group is working on the development of recombinant microorganisms able to transform glycerol in other derivatives of industrial interest, such as 1,3-propanodiol and 3-hydroxypropanoic acid, which are relevant for the synthesis of industrial polymers. This project is developed in collaboration with the group of Dr. F. García-Ochoa at the University Complutense of Madrid.
Biocatálysis
Beta-lactam acylases constitutes an enzyme family of great industrial value since they are used for the semisynthesis of penicillins and cephalosporins. Our group is working for a long time in cloning and expression of new genes encoding these enzymes as well as in their directed evolution. The aims of these studies are to isolate new enzymes with novel catalytic properties and to redesign them to increase their stability after multipuntual immobilization. This project is developed in collaboration with the groups of Dres. I. de la Mata (University Complutense of Madrid) and J. M. Guisán (Institute of Catalysis and Petroleumchemistry- CSIC, Madrid). .
Members
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