Reaction engineering is a rapid and robust approach to increase enzyme stability and to control the parameters of a reaction. Unfortunately, regarding the modification of intrinsic catalytic properties such as enzyme selectivity or substrate spectrum, reaction engineering is a very limited approach. Consequently, reaction engineering and enzyme engineering have the potential to complement each other.
However, this raises the question how to proceed with such a complementary approach at different stages of research. The research topic addresses strategies for the discovery and optimization of microbial biocatalysts for industrial applications.
It includes targeted enzyme discovery and methods for the modification of catalytic properties by enzyme engineering and reaction engineering. The research topic covers different aspects and aims to create a productive interdisciplinary discussion between microbiologists, biotechnologists and chemists to identify successful strategies for the rapid and successful optimization of biocatalysts.
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About this Research Topic The development of sustainable material production processes has been widely acknowledged as a key challenge for the 21st century. The hygiene hypothesis or microbial deprivation hypothesis proposes that reduced contact with microorganisms in the first years of life is an important factor in the dysregulation of the education of our immune system and this rise in inflammation. In addition, an increase in air pollution appears to play an important modulatory role in the pathogenesis of these diseases.
The research team of Sarah Lebeer aims to gain more insights in the modulatory role of environmental microbes and air pollution on human health, by the application of molecular microbiological and immunological techniques. Hereto, the research is currently focusing on three major research themes:.
Hereto, the research is currently focusing on three major research themes: A first major topic focuses on the immunomodulatory capacity, anti-pathogenic action and other beneficial capacities of lactobacilli , present in fermented foods, pharmaceutical supplements, human gastro-intestinal tract, vagina and nasopharyngeal capacity. Hereby, special attention goes to the cell surface molecules of lactobacilli proteins, lipoteichoic acid, polysaccharides, glycoproteins, pili, etc.
A second topic investigates environmental microbes present in the air and on plants phyllosphere bacteria in relation to air pollution and the hygiene hypothesis. Hereby, special attention goes to the development of molecular methods to monitor the diversity and activity of these microbes bioremediation, immunomodulation, etc.