Project 2A - A platform for lignocellulose active enzyme and accessory protein production
PI - Reg Stroms
Objectives: This project focuses on the production of lignocellulose-active enzymes and accessory proteins for biorefinery applications. The objectives are to improve the expression level and purity of lignocellulose active enzyme and accessory protein production by Aspergillus niger, a filamentous fungus widely used for secreted protein production. To achieve this objective we will pursue the following three complementary approaches: 1) use transcription-profiling data to develop rational strategies to improve the protein secretion capabilities of A. niger, 2) develop expression vectors that improve target protein production through the use of new promoters and secretion signals, and 3) create clean expression strains that do not produce "contaminating secreted proteins" that interfere with the production or activity of the expressed heterologous lignocellulose-active proteins. The successful combination of these three approaches will enable A. niger to express essentially pure lignocellulose active enzymes and accessory proteins at levels compatible with industrial processing without the need for costly and time consuming post expression protein purification.
