The Protein engineering and proteomics group (PEP)

The Protein Engineering and Proteomics Group (PEP)

PEP/BioRef group

What we do

The PEP-group works on production, engineering, characterization and application of proteins and enzymes, in various contexts, such as biomass processing, bacterial pathogenicity, microbial ecology and vaccine development.

The group is led by group leader Professor Vincent Eijsink and deputy group leader Professor Gustav Vaaje-Kolstad.

Current research activities

  • 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

Some of this research is done in close collaboration with, or even led by, other groups at NMBU, particularly the Bioprocess Technology and Biorefining (BioRef) group headed by Professor Svein Horn and the MEMO group (Microbial Ecology and Meta-Omics) headed by Associate Professor Phil B. Pope.

We also collaborate closely with Professor Morten Sørlie and researcher Åsmund Røhr Kjendseth in the Natural Product Chemistry and Organic Analysis group.

Crystal structure of an LPMO
More about PEP
PEP group
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Research
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Education
In Norwegian

About the PEP-group

Research group at NMBUs faculty for chemistry, biotechnology and food science. 

Group size, March 2021:  2 professors, 1 associate professor, 6 Researchers, 9 postdocs, 12 PhD students, 4 Technicians, 4 - 5 Undergraduates, 3-4 Guests.

Topics

  • Chitin
  • Lignocellulose
  • Fundamental enzyme studies and enzyme development
  • Applied enzymology
  • Microbial communities and enzyme discovery
  • Biorefining
  • Fermentation technologies
  • LAB-based vaccines
  • Bacterial virulence
  • Catalyst development

Group leader Professor Vincent Eijsink

Deputy group leader Professor Gustav Vaaje-Kolstad 

Contact information