About the PEP-group
The PEP research group consists of around 35 employees at NMBU's Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science. The group is led by group leader Professor Vincent Eijsink and deputy group leader Professor Gustav Vaaje-Kolstad. Among our scientific staff, several members have their own, independent projects and subgroups. Our research is primarily funded by the Research Council of Norway, the EU and the Novo Nordisk Foundation; we currently have two ERC projects, a Synergy Grant to Vincent Eijsink and a Consolidator Grant to Magnus Arntzen). Both Magnus Arntzen and Aniko Varnai hold Emerging Investigator grants from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
In addition to doing research, group members teach courses at Bachelor's and Master's level, and supervise Master and PhD students.
Our research
The PEP group works on the production, engineering, design, characterization and application of proteins and enzymes, in various contexts, such as enzymatic valorization of biomass, recycling of plastics, green chemistry, microbial pathogenicity, microbial ecology and vaccine development. While our projects span a wide range of topics, proteins, enzymes and carbohydrates always play a central role.
Our research ranges from groundbreaking basic research, e.g. on LPMOs and microbial communities, to applications. We collaborate with multiple research groups around the world, as well as with several industries.
We have a strong focus on unravelling how nature manages to break down highly recalcitrant materials such as shrimp shells, wood and straw (“biomass”). One major applied driver is the need for developing green technologies (i.e., enzyme- and fermentation-based) for valorizing of non-edible biomass, such as forest residues and straw, as well as chitin-rich materials such as shrimp shells. To understand these processes we look at both enzymes and microbial communities.
LPMO catalyze oxidative cleavage of glycosidic bonds in recalcitrant polysaccharides such as cellulose and chitin. We first described LPMO-like activity in 2005, and in 2010, we first described the catalytic activity of these unique, wide-spread enzymes. Please see here, if you want to read more about the history of LPMOs. Since their discovery, LPMOs have been central in our group and we have been able to make several important additional discoveries, for example through work by Zarah Forsberg and Bastien Bissaro. While originally studied in the context of biomass conversions, such as enzymatic saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass, our current work has its main focus on fundamental aspects (how do these enzyme actually work?) and on developing LPMO-inspired novel catalysts (enzymes or synthetic) that catalyze other useful reactions, such as the selective oxidation of alkanes or oxidation of plastics. Rapidly emerging novel tools in protein design play a central role here. This work is led by Vincent Eijsink and primarily funded by an ERC Synergy Grant
While focusing on enzymes and proteins, our work has always had a microbiology component. For example, we have been studying the possibility of food-grade lactic acid bacteria as vaccine carriers in projects led by Geir Mathiesen. In the past decade we have developed a wider portfolio of interconnected and cross-fertilizing activities, and we have become good at studying microbial communities. Today, we have a large activity in microbial ecology that is driven by While focusing on enzymes and proteins, our work has always had a microbiology component. For example, we have been studying the possibility of food-grade lactic acid bacteria as vaccine carriers in projects led by Geir Mathiesen. In the past decade we have developed a wider portfolio of interconnected and cross-fertilizing activities, and we have become good at studying microbial communities. Today, we have a large activity in microbial ecology that is driven by extensive use of meta-omics technologies and coordinated in a cross-Faculty research group, the Memo group, initially established by Phil Pope and today led by Sabina Leanti La Rosa. We study such communities in the context of biomass conversion (soil, biogas reactors) but also in the context of food and feed digestion in humans, animals and salmon. We are always on the lookout for new interesting enzymes. We are increasingly active in understanding the biochemistry and microbiology of feed digestion in salmon. In recent years we have combined our competence in enzymes and carbohydrate analysis to study microbial behaviour and virulence. For example, we are heavily interested in the roles that chitinases and LPMOs play in pathogenic bacteria. This work is led by Gustav Vaaje-Kolstad and includes in-depth studies of bacterial exopolysaccharides. Aniko Varnai leads a large project, Funaccess, aimed at studying how fungi penetrate cell walls, studying, for example, LPMOs and various types of expansins and expansin-like proteins.
Our research in keywords: Chitin, Lignocellulose, Advanced enzymology, Structural biology, Applied enzymology, Microbial communities, Enzyme discovery, Carbohydrates, Biorefining, Fermentation technology, Lactic acid bacteria, Microbial ecology, Microbial virulence, Catalyst development, Proteomics and metaproteomics, Metagenomics, Salmon.
Our applied perspectives in keywords: Biofuels, Biorefining, Bioprocess technology, Valorization of biomass, Recycling of plastics, Vaccines for humans and salmon, Environmentally friendly plant protection agents, Novel feeds and foods.
Current research activities and example projects:
- Structure-function studies of biomass converting enzymes (e.g. FunAccess project led by Aniko Varnai).
- Applied enzymology and bioprocessing to convert biomass, such as forest waste, shrimp shells or feathers, into useful products, including several projects on the processing of chitin-rich biomass (e.g.the ChitoVal and Mycocircle projects)
- Enzymatic recycling of plastics (e.g., the Enzyclic project).
- Studies of plastic- or biomass-degrading microbial communities; discovery of new enzymes used in these communities (e.g. the NOD-AOL ERC project led by Magnus Arntzen, supported by the ERC).
- Gene expression systems, protein secretion and protein anchors in lactic acid bacteria ("Yogurt vaccines").
- Studies of both enzymes and microbes important for digestion in salmon (e.g. the SalmoPro project).
- Studies of bacterial cell walls in different contexts, ranging from microbial pathogenicity and vaccine development to understanding consistency-giving properties in food products (e.g. the FunEPS project).
- Discovery and characterization of new bacterial virulence factors, including in salmon (e.g. a new project on skin wounds in salmon, together with the Norwegian Veterinary School).
- Development and design of nature-inspired new catalysts for use in "green" chemical processes (e.g. the Cube project, supported by the ERC).
Collaborators
Our main current funders are NMBU, The Research Council of Norway (NFR), The Novo-Nordisk Foundation, and the EU.
We collaborate with several research groups all over the world and with a number of different industries, for example within "SFI-IB" - A Center for Research-Driven Innovation.
Within NMBU we work particularly closely with two other research groups within the Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM):
The Bioref group, led by Bjørge Westereng (e.g. on carbohydrate chemistry and analytics).
The Chemistry group, led by Åsmund Røhr Kjendseth (e.g. on computational biochemistry, spectroscopy and computational protein design).
and with the Biospectroscopy and Data Modeling (BioSpec) group at at the Faculty of Science and Technology (Realtek).
Parts of the PEP group are part of the interfaculty Memo group (Microbial Ecology and Meta-Omics) led by Sabina Leanti La Rosa.
History
Publications
Projects
Current research activities include:
- Structure-function studies of biomass-converting enzymes and their accessory proteins and domains.
- Applied enzymology and bioprocessing for converting biomass to useful products.
- Biomass-degrading microbial communities; enzyme discovery.
- Gene expression systems, protein secretion and surface proteomics in lactic acid bacteria.
- Discovery and characterization of novel bacterial virulence factors.
- Development of nature-inspired novel catalysts
Current projects, led by PEP:
SFI-IB Industrial Biotechnology
SFI IB, Industrial biotechnology, is a research-based innovation centre comprised of 4 leading national research organisations, 14 Industry partners and one industry cluster. Together, the partners have leading infrastructure platforms and competence on key areas of national interest within Industrial Biotechnology. By joining these capacities in one national centre, we will secure a stronger orchestration of Norwegian R&D&I within the main Innovation domains the centre will focus on. The SFI has five innovation domains and eight research domains. The work is divided into seven sub-projects. Four cross cutting activities span the centre activity. NMBU participates with two research groups at KBM, PEP and BioRef, and the BioSpec group at Realtek. NMBU's contribution is concentrated on the valorization of several types of biomass, through fermentation and / or enzyme technology. We work with the development of bioprocesses and with finding and developing useful enzymes that can be used in these processes. NMBU's biorefinery is important for our contribution. Two of SFI-IB's seven projects are led by NMBU by Vincent Eijsink & Svein Horn, Funded by NFR, Runs 2020-2028
FunAccess
FunAccess - Leveraging the Mechanisms by which Fungi Increase Plant Cell Wall Accessibility to Unlock the Industrial Valorization Potential of Plant Biomass
"In nature, penetration of the plant cell wall (PCW) is the important first step of plant colonization by fungi, irrespective of lifestyle. For that, fungi need to secrete small PCW-active proteins that can penetrate the pores of the PCW and reach key crosslinks that limit access to the PCW and its cellulose microfibrils in particular. These junction points also hinder biomass processability during enzymatic saccharification and cellulose fibrillation. In FunAccess, we will identify 1) small fungal proteins with predicted or unknown function that increase PCW accessibility and 2) crosslinks in PCWs that limit access to common PCW polysaccharides in native biomass and pulp samples. The ultimate goals are to describe the universal mechanisms fungi use to increase PCW accessibility, with focus on novel PCW-active protein systems, and to demonstrate the potential of these proteins for complete saccharification of biomass and production of nanocellulose beyond the state of the art". Aniko Varnai`s NNF Emerging Investigator Grant, Runs 2020-2025
DeNitro
DeNitro - Oxidative Polysaccharide Conversion in Anoxia by Denitrifying Organisms
"Falling leaves and branches along the shoreline of nitrogen-rich lakes create a niche habitat for denitrifying microbes capable of degrading cellulose. This very same sort of habitat can be found in field denitrification beds, which are cellulose-containing water treatment basins used by Danish farmers to clear the surface water from excess fertilization, in particular nitrate. Within these habitats, cellulose degradation and denitrification occurs, but the underlying microbial interactions and enzymes at work remain unknown. I believe these habitats hold an untapped potential for powerful new cellulose-degrading enzyme systems. In this project, I will reveal the microbes and enzymes at play using a repertoire of state-of-the-art microbial techniques and provide novel insight into cellulose deconstruction in nitrate-rich habitats. This will lay the foundation for innovative bioprocessing strategies with enzyme systems that can utilize nitrate instead of oxygen as co-substrat". Magnus Arntzen`s NNF Emerging Investigator Grant, Runs 2020-2025
SmartPlast
SmartPlast - Solving the plastic problem
Project leader Vincent Eijsink. Plastic is derived from fossil fuels, is difficult to recycle (even in a society with effective waste collection systems), degrades slowly in nature (if at all), and has a tendency to convert to increasingly smaller particles (microplastics) that cause problems for living systems. Solving the “plastic problem” is a huge task that requires a wide multi-disciplinary action that a University such as NMBU alone cannot muster. Still, NMBU can contribute by building on recent developments in the field and in its own competence. Besides, NMBU already has ongoing activities that touch upon the plastic problem but that, so far, have remained invisible in a “plastic context”. Runs from 2021-2024. This project is a part of NMBUs Sustainability Arenas 2021- 2024.
Enzyclic
Enzyclic - Unlocking the potential of enzymatic recycling of plastics
Project leader Gustav Vaaje-Kolstad. In this project we will develop new enzyme technology for degradation and recirculation. Unlocking the potential of enzymatic recycling of plastics. In parallel our partner Norner will develop new plastic polymers that are designed for enzymatic dergradation, but that maintain their functional properties. An important part of the project will be to establish an open dialogue with relevant industry, policy makers and other stakeholders to discuss the potential of the technology and how it can be implemented in society. This dialog will be supported by barrier and life cycle analyses performed by our partner Bellona. Additional project partners are the Circular Packaging Cluster and Aclima. Funded by NFR, Runs 2021-2025
3D-omics
“3D-omics” - Three-dimensional holo’omic landscapes to unveil host-microbiota interactions shaping animal production.
WP Leader Phillip Pope. In 3D’omics we will develop, optimise and, for the first time, implement this technology in animal production to generate the so-called 3D’omic landscapes, the most accurate reconstructions of intestinal host-microbiota ecosystems ever achieved. Funded by Horizon 2020. Runs 2021-2025
CUBE
CUBE – “Unravelling the secrets of Cu-based catalysts for C-H activation”
In this ERC-Synergy project PEP will collaborate with experts in synthetic catalysts (zeolites, metal-organic-frameworks), spectroscopy, computational & theoretical chemistry and a wide variety of biophysical methods. The aim is to develop novel enzyme-inspired synthetic catalysts and novel synthetic catalyst-inspired enzymes. The catalytic power of LPMOs is a major inspiration for this work. Next to PEP, the team comprises groups headed by Prof Unni Olsbye (Oslo; project coordinator), Prof. Silvia Bordiga (Turin) and Prof. Serena DeBeer (Muelheim and der Ruhr). Read more here (scroll down on the page to “Cleaner chemical conversions”). Runs 2020-2026.
FunEnzFibres
FunEnzFibres - “From fundamentals to valorization: Enzymatic oxidation of cellulosic fibres and underlying mechanisms”
Local project leader Aniko Varnai and Vincent Eijsink. In this ERA-Net project we will explore novel mechano-enzymatic modifications on cellulose and cellulosic fibres using LPMOs and selected hydrolases for development of high-value products in the forest industry. We will examine the possibilities of LPMOs to open, rearrange and modify structurally different celluloses in combination with existing knowledge in enzymatic fibre refining, and investigate functionalization of cellulosic fibres with new reactive chemical groups. Partners: VTT, Finland (Kaisa Marjamaa & Kristiina Kruus; project coordinator); BOKU Austria (Antje Potthast); Industrial partners;Borregaard, MetsäFibre, UPM-Kymmene Corporation, Essity GHC R&D Tissue, Acticell GmbH, and Novozymes.Runs 2019 – 2023
Delignobact
Delignobact - Degradation of Lignin by Bacteria
Young Research Talent grant from NFR to Tina Rise Tuveng, The project aims at identifying bacterial enzymes that are able to degrade lignin. Runs 2021-2025
Post-doc fellowship to Zarah Forsberg
Modularity as a tool to harness the power of redox enzyme systems in polysaccharide conversion"
Personal post-doc fellowship from the Novo Nordisk Foundation to Zarah Forsberg. Key topic: structure function studies of multi-modular LPMOs. Runs 2019 – 2022.
SeaCow
SeaCow – “Promoting efficient, low emitting cows through manipulation of the rumen microbiome"
Young Research Talent grant from NFR to Live Heldal Hagen. In this project, Live will explore how seaweed-based nutritional manipulation strategies affect enteric methane production, microbiome-host interactions and microbiome metabolism. By decrypting relationships between diets, animal performance and microbiome metabolism, it should eventually become possible to improve animal performance and reduce methane emission by rational nutritional manipulation. Runs 2020 – 2024.
PRODIGIO
PRODIGIO - Developing early-warning systems for improved microalgae PROduction an anarobic DIGestIOn
Project leader: Magnus Øverlie Arntzen. PRODIGIO will boost the efficiency of solar energy conversion into biogas by increasing the performance of Microalgae production systems & Anaerobic digestion systems. Thanks to the development of early-warning signals for improved systems monitoring and control. Runs from 2021-2023
OXYMOD
OXYMOD - "Optimized oxidative enzyme systems for efficient conversion of lignocellulose to valuable products”
Project leader Vincent Eijsink. In this project, which is part of the Center for Digital Life Norway funded by NFR-BIOTEK, we will use a transdisciplinary approach to study redox enzyme systems involved in biomass processing, with the eventual goal of developing better enzymes and enzyme systems and better bioprocessing strategies; read more here. Runs 2017-2022.
Group members