Bioengineering of bifunctional metalloproteins applied in the production of added value products

• Grant number: 23/01529-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2023
• End date: November 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Agreement: CNPq
• Principal Investigator: Frank Nelson Crespilho
• Grantee: Frank Nelson Crespilho
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/09164-5 - Understanding the charge transfer mechanisms in biological and biomimetic systems using in-situ and operando techniques: from fundamental science to energy application, AP.R
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/14690-3 - Hydrogen Bioproduction Using Artificial Proteins Apo-reconstituted with Nickel Porphyrin, BP.IC; 23/10667-4 - Bioengineering of Bifunctional Metalloproteins Applied in the Production of Added Value Products, BP.JD

Abstract

The production of value-added products from enzymes or redox proteins found in nature is limited. This limitation can be overcome in the laboratory by modifying native enzymes, or by obtaining artificial apo-reconstituted proteins. In this project, we intend to contribute to frontier research in the area of metalloprotein bioengineering and to obtain new apo-reconstituted structures. Thus, the aim is to modify the structure of proteins with metallic centers, and electrochemically produce value-added organic molecules from the electroreduction of CO2 (ERCO2). Since the active site of the redox protein will be modulated, the bioelectroreduction reaction of the H2O molecule (BRH2O) to produce molecular hydrogen (H2) will also be investigated; bifunctional metalloproteins will be obtained. With the completion of this project, there will be prospects for transferring the methods to be developed to the technology sector. In addition, the work to be developed in the environment of the Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos (IQSC-USP) will contribute both to strengthening the research of the Bioelectrochemistry & Interfaces Group and to the know-how of researching apo-reconstituted proteins with a focus on in the production of value-added products. (AU)