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About

Sector of Applied Biocatalysis was established in 2007 as a group of Industrial Biotechnology in conjunction with the start of the National Programme on the Development of Industrial Biotechnology in Lithuania 2007-2010. In October 2010 the group was transformed into the Sector of Applied Biocatalysis and is headed by Inga Matijošytė (Ph.D. in biochemistry and biocatalysis from Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, 2008).

Research

Sector‘s research is directed towards the search for enzymes with new functionalities and their development towards applied biocatalysis. The limited number of suitable and well characterized biocatalysts delays the progress in the application of enzymes in the synthesis of compounds for materials, pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

Sector of Applied Biocatalysis seeks to identify biocatalysts with novel activities by screening for enzymes, development of biocatalyst and application of biocatalyst.

The research focuses on developing of biocatalytic systems employing enzymes from two main classes: oxidoreductases and hydrolases (laccases, lipases, alcohol oxidases, xylanases, etc.). We have variety of bacterial and yeast expression systems. Also, we also have long lasting experience in developing immobilization systems (carrier and carrier-free). Recently, the sector is orienting the research towards dicrovery of new novel biocatalytic routes for high-added value products from bio-based raw materials – biopolymers (polyols, polyurethanes, etc.).

We strive to meet scientific challenges in combination with application-oriented research. Therefore, close collaboration with industrial partners resulted in several research oriented projects.

We have skills and experience, possess tools and capacities to develop biocatalytic solutions for specific needs. Please contact us if you need:

  • screening for enzymes (environmental samples, enzyme and strain collections, metagenomic and expression libraries, development of screening systems, etc.);
  • development of biocatalyst (gene engineering, development of analytical systems, protein purification, development of expression systems, etc.);
  • application of biocatalyst (immobilization, recycling, proof of principal, activity/selectivity, stability, reaction media, improved efficiency of bioconversions, quality analysis of products obtained by biocatalysis, etc.);
  • application of Green Chemistry principles in technologies and processes.

Main publications

  • M. Baliukynas, A. Veteikytė, V. Kairys, I. Matijošytė. The hydrolysis of indoxyl acetate: a versatile reaction to assay carbonic anhydrase activity by high-throughput screening. Enzyme Microb. Technol. 2020, 136, 109584

  • Rotter A, Bacu A, Barbier M, Bertoni F, Bones AM, Cancela ML, Carlsson J, Carvalho MF, Cegłowska M, Dalay MC, Dailianis T, Deniz I, Drakulovic D, Dubnika A, Einarsson H, Erdoğan A, Eroldoğan OT, Ezra D, Fazi S, FitzGerald RJ, Gargan LM, Gaudêncio SP, Ivošević DeNardis N, Joksimovic D, Kataržytė M, Kotta J, Mandalakis M, Matijošytė I, Mazur-Marzec H, Massa-Gallucci A, Mehiri M, Nielsen SL, Novoveská L, Overlingė D, Portman ME, Pyrc K, Rebours C, Reinsch T, Reyes F, Rinkevich B, Robbens J, Rudovica V, Sabotič J, Safarik I, Talve S, Tasdemir D, Schneider XT, Thomas OP, Toruńska-Sitarz A, Varese GC and Vasquez MI (2020) A New Network for the Advancement of Marine Biotechnology in Europe and Beyond. Front. Mar. Sci. 7:278. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2020.00278

  • V. Malūnavičius, G. Druteika, M. Sadauskas, A. Veteikytė, I. Matijošytė, E. Lastauskiene, A. Gegeckas, R. Gudiukaite. Usage of GD-95 and GD-66 lipases as fusion partners leading to improved chemiric enzyme LipGD95-GD66. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2018, in press, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.07.002.

  • M. Šulcienė, B. Kolvenbach, E. Ammann, I. Matijošytė. Towards an affordable enzymatic production of biopolyols – Comparing the immobilization of lipases by two optimized techniques. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2018, 116, 1049-1055

  • Veteikytė, R. Šiekštelė, B. Tvaska, I. Matijošytė. Sequential application of waste whey as a medium component for Klyuveromyces lactis cultivation and a co-feeder for lipase immobilization by CLEA method. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2017, 101:3617-3626.

  • Melvydas, I. Bruzauskaitė, G. Gedminienė, R. Šiekštelė. A Novel Saccharomyces cerevisiae killer strain secreting the X factor related to killer activity and inhibition of S. cerevisiae K1, K2 and K28 killer toxins. Indian Journal of Microbiology. 2016, 56(3): 335-343.

  • Gruškienė, V. Kairys, I. Matijošytė. CLEA-based immobilization of methylotropic yeast alcohol oxidase: influence on storage stability and reaction efficiency. Org. Process Res. Dev., 2015, 19 (12): 2025-2033.

  • Šiekštelė, A. Veteikytė, B. Tvaska, I. Matijošytė. Yeast Kluyveromyces lactis as host for expression of the bacterial lipase: cloning and adaptation of the new lipase gene from Serratia sp. J. Ind. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 2015, 42: 1309-1317

  • Šulcienė, A. Karalius, I. Matijošytė. Chemo-enzymatic route for the production of biopolyol from rapeseed oil. Curr. Org. Chem. 2014, 18: 3037-3043

  • Kleinaitė, V. Jaška, B. Tvaska, I. Matijošytė. A cleaner approach for biolubricant production using biodiesel as a starting material. J. Clean Prod., 2014, 75:40-44

  • Veteikytė A., Aštrauskaitė M., Gruškienė R., Tekorienė R., Matijošytė I., "Secondary alcohol oxidase activity identified in genus of Pseudomonas isolated from the oil polluted soil“. Agricult. Biotechnol., 2013, 2 (2): 89-95

  • A. Tromp, I. Matijošytė, R.A. Sheldon, I.W.C.E. Arends, M.T. Kreutzer, J.A. Moulijn, S. de Vries, “Mechanism of laccase/TEMPO oxidation of benzyl alcohol”. ChemCatChem., 2010 (2): 827-833

Visits funded by Lithuanian Science Council

  • Conference “Multistep Enzyme Catalyzed Processes Congress (MECP2014).“ N° SF3-25 (N° VIZ-KON-1011). Poster: I. Matijošytė, A. Karalius, M. Šulcienė “Biopolyol production by a two step chemo-enzymatic synthesis”. 6-11 April 2014, Madrid, Spain.
  • 6th International Congress on Biocatalysis (Biocat 2012). N° VIZIT-4-KON-381. Poster: I. Matijošytė, E. Kleinaitė, R. Šiekštelė, B. Pudžiuvytė „Novel lipase from Serratia sp. for biolubricant production“. 2-6 September 2012, Hamburg, Germany.
  • Symposium on Biocatalysis and Biotransformations (Biotrans2011), N° KEL-007/2011. Poster: I. Matijošytė, M. Aštrauskaitė, A. Veteikytė, R. Gruškienė, E. Kleinaitė “A novel biocatalyst for oxidation of secondary alcohols“. 2-6 October 2010, Sicily, Italy.  

Projects and cooperation

Projects

  • COST Action CM1303: Systems Biocatalysis, duration 2014.09.15 - 2017.11.19.
  • Sciex Junior Researchers‘ Felloship programos projektas IMMOZYME (k 13.101), University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern, Basel, Switzerland, 2013.10.01-2014.04.01
  • Project „Development of innovative biotechnology for oil base lubricant production“ (BIOLUBRICANT) under Industrial Biotechnology development programme for in Lithuania for 2011 – 2013. Project partners JSC Biocentras (www.biocentras.lt), duration 2011-2013.
  • Project „The development of innovative biocatalytic stain remover“ (FASTREMOVE), under Industrial Biotechnology development programme for in Lithuania for 2011 – 2013. Project partners: SC NAUJOJI RINGUVA (www.ringuva.lt), duration 2012-2013.  
  • Project „Design and evaluation of ageing-resistant biodegradable esters with controllable flammability“ (BIOSKALESTER) under Industrial Biotechnology development programme for in Lithuania for 2007 – 2009, duration 2008-2010
  •  Project „The search for new biofuel components and investigation of second generation biofuel production technologies“ (BIOTEKA) under Industrial Biotechnology development programme for in Lithuania for 2007 – 2009, duration 2007-2009.
  • Project „Investigation of immobilization of biocatalysts and their application in biotechnological processes“ (BIOKATALIMA) under Industrial Biotechnology development programme for in Lithuania for 2007 – 2009, duration 2007-2009.

Inovation voucher (funded by MITA) :

  • Inovation voucher N° K-824-01-049 (2017/6 mėn), customer AC Pienas LT.
  • Inovation voucher N° 31V- (2014/6 month), customer JSC Akses.
  • Inovation voucher N° 43V-255 (2014/6 month), customer JSC Noventus.
  • Inovation voucher N° 43V-10 (2013/6 month), customer JSC Lutora.
  • Inovation voucher N° 31V-224 (2012/6 month), customer JSC Chemopolis.
  • Inovation voucher N° 31V-105 (2011/6 month), customer JSC Nuostolių valdymas.
  • Inovation voucher N° 31V-39 (2011/6 month), customer JSC PET group.
  • Inovation voucher N° 31V-38 (2011/6 month), customer JSC Biocentras.
  • Inovation voucher N° 31V- 72 (2010/3 month), customer JSC Naujoji Ringuva.

Contractual R&D projects with:

  • JSC Bioenergy LT
  • SC Amilina
  • JSC Biorro
  • AC Pienas LT
  • Lithuanian University of Health Sciences

Cooperation Agreements:

  • JC Naujoji Ringuva „Enzymes and their application in detergents“ N° B1-560000-153

Scientific collaborations with:

  • University of Torino (IT)
  • Delft University of Technology (NL)
  • Leiden University (NL)
  • University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (CHE)
  • Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LV)
  • JSC Probiosanus
  • JSC Vita Baltic

Sector members

Head dr. Inga Matijošytė
Research Associate

+370 5 223 4371

Rimantas Šiekštelė
J. researcher

Milda Šulcienė
J. researcher

Aušra Veteikytė
Investigator

Gervydas Dienys
Associated Professor

Students of the year 2017-2018:

Žymantas Venckus (VU Microbiology and biotechnology)

Mantas Baliukynas (VU VU Microbiology and biotechnology)

Gabija Aleknavičiūtė (VU Molecular biology)

Jokūbas Krutkevičius (VU VU Microbiology and biotechnology)

Justinas Babinskas (VU Chemistry)

Marius Petkus (VU VU Microbiology and biotechnology)

Since the establishment of the Sector more than 20 thesis by undergraduate and postgraduate students were prepared.

Institute of Biotechnology

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