Mechanistic study of enzymes involved in carbohydrate processing and prospected from the microbiota of Amazonian manatee

• Grant number: 25/00385-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Chemistry of Macromolecules
• Principal Investigator: Mário Tyago Murakami
• Grantee: Maira Rafaela de Britto Rafael
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/04891-3 - Enzymatic mechanisms from the microbiome of aquatic herbivores for depolymerization and metabolism of complex carbohydrates, AP.TEM

Abstract

Aquatic environments of tropical forests are rich in organic plant matter, coming from aquatic and semi-aquatic plants, algae and decomposing wood. These vegetables serve as food for various animals such as fish, birds and aquatic mammals, being processed mainly by their intestinal microbiota. In this project, enzymes active on carbohydrates prospected from the intestinal microbiota of Amazonian manatees will be studied. The targets will be selected based on the metagenome and metatranscriptome studies of the thematic project. Biochemical, structural and mutagenesis studies will be carried out to provide a deep understanding of the activity and mode of action of these enzymes. With this, we intend to unveil new enzymatic activities and expand the known universe of CAZymes. (AU)