News

September, 2024

Congratulations to Raluca on her successful PhD defense!

Raluca defended her PhD thesis, entitled "Protein Engineering of Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyases for the Synthesis of Unnatural L-Phenylalanine Analogues" on September 27th. Her dedication, hard work, and innovative research have culminated in this remarkable achievement, marking an important milestone in her academic journey. Her thesis contains extensive experimental data and presents the results of her rigorous research in assay development, directed evolution, and phylogenetic analysis.
Her research holds significant potential for future applications in fields such as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
September, 2024

Visit of invited lecturer

Our esteemed collaborator, Prof. Ligia O. Martins from ITQB (Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier) NOVA University Lisbon, visited our Research Center and presented her research group and their results regarding their investigation various bacterial oxidoreductases, including laccases, metallo-oxidases, azoreductases, DyP-type peroxidases, isoeugenol monooxygenases, and carbohydrate oxidase. Their aim is to understand their mechanisms, structures, and improve their performance through protein engineering methods like directed evolution. Following the discussions, our group had the pleasure of showing Prof. Martins around Cluj, giving her a glimpse of the city’s rich culture and history. We thank her for the inspiring lectures and the insightful scientific discussions.
September, 2024

Welcome Aishwarya!

We are excited to welcome Aishwarya, a talented postdoc from India, to our research center!
She will be working on enzyme immobilization, bringing valuable expertise and fresh perspectives to our team. We look forward to learning from Aish’s research experience, as well as the new cultural insights she can share with us.
August, 2024

Scientific paper

Our work on the synthesis of aroma esters by the direct esterfication of carboxylic acids with aromatic alcohols mediated by lipase B from Candida antarctica encapsulated in a sol–gel matrix in a solvent-free system have been published in Reaction Chemistry & Engineering!
Congratulations to all the authors and especially first author Adi!
July, 2024

Scientific Event – European Congress on Biotechnology

One of our PhD student Krisztina and an MSc student Blanka attended the joint conference of the European Congress on Biotechnology (ECB 2024) organized by the European Federation of Biotechnology, held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands from June 30th to July 3rd. Our students presented their research through scientific posters:
- BOROS K., GAL L., TOMOIAGĂ R.-B., ANGHEL A., PIETRUSZKA J., BENCZE L.-Cs. – Multi-enzymatic approaches involving engineered D-amino acid dehydrogenases for the stereoselective synthesis of D-phenylalanines
- NAGY B.-E., BOROS K., TOMOIAGĂ R.-B., TŐTŐS R., TOȘA M., PAIZS Cs., BENCZE L.-Cs. - Upgraded activity assays for PET-degrading enzymes
June, 2024

Lab inauguration

After months of administrative challenges and hard work, we are excited to announce that our Enzymology and Applied Biocatalysis Research Center has expanded with a new lab, hosting enzyme immobilization and continuous flow biocatalysis facilities.
May, 2024

Welcome back Raluca!

Welcome back Raluca from your 3-month research fellowship at the renowned ITQB of NOVA University from Lisbon!
We thank our collaborator Prof. Ligia O. Martins for helping Raluca in acquiring the skills in epPCR and other directed evolution techniques!
May, 2024

Scientific paper

Our research related to the immobilization of D-amino acid dehydrogenase (DAADH) has been published in Process Biochemistry. The paper presents various fine-tuned immobilization procedures for the DAADH enzyme, leading to the development of an efficient biocatalyst for the preparative-scale synthesis of D-pehnylalanine. This work brings us closer to our goal of enzymatically producing enantiopure D-amino acids! We thank or collaborator Prof. Dr. Jörg Pietruszka for the fruitful collaboration on this topic!
Congratulations to all the authors, especially first authors Krisztina and Lilla!
doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2024.02.014
February, 2024

Scientific paper

Our work on the characterization of the substrate scope and biocatalytic potential of the Loktanella atrilutea-derived aromatic ammonia-lyase (LaAAL) has been published in ChemBioChem. The novel AAL displays high activity towards 3,4-dimethoxy trans-cinnamic acid, with surprisingly diminished activity towards natural AAL substrates. This work brings us closer to identifying the natural roles of these novel AALs and understanding the evolutionary reasons for their development.
Congratulations for all authors and for first author Raluca!
doi.org/10.1002/cbic.202400011