S160b: Screening and characterization of hemicellulose-degrading enzymes

Hemicellulose is the second-most plentiful biomass source on the planet, and efficient utilization of this substrate is a major factor in the economic viability of a biorefinery.  Hemicellulose is a complex polymer, and a wide array of enzymes is required in order to reduce the hemicellulose into fermentable sugars.  We have developed different strategies and screens to isolate these hemicellulose-degrading enzymes.  These assays have also been used to engineer enzymes with improved properties.  We will describe the discovery, characterization, and genetic engineering of many of these enzymes, including endoxylanases, b-xylosidases, and a-glucuronidases.