Discovery of Novel Lignin-Degrading Genes in Bacteria Using Metagenomic and Proteomic
Approach for Enhanced Saccharification of Plant Biomass
2011 DOT-RITA Seed Award
Principal Investigators and affiliations: PI: Dr. Babu Fathepure (Oklahoma State University) Co-PI: Dr. Patricia Canaan (Oklahoma State University) Co-PI: Dr. Rolf Prade (Oklahoma State University)
Funded: $75,000
Start Date: 7/11/2011
End Date: 12/31/2014
Expected Outcomes:
Most studies to date have focused on fungi for lignin degrading enzymes and little
attention has been given to bacterial role in the breakdown of lignin. This work seeks
to explore bacteria for novel enzymes because they may provide a conceptually different
mechanism of lignin degradation reflective of their metabolic and evolutionary differences
from fungi. The work will use metagenomic and proteomic approaches for discovering
novel enzymes of industrial significance. The proposed project affords tremendous
opportunity for collaboration with industries involved in the production of biofuel,
the dissemination of the research findings, and providing basic research to answer
the practical questions.