Public defence in biotechnology, M. Sc. Feilong Li
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Title of the thesis: Role of conserved and non-conserved residues of Escherichia coli formate dehydrogenase H in the CO2–formate interconversion
Doctoral researcher: M. Sc. Feilong Li
Opponent: Professor Alfred M. Spormann, Stanford University, United States; Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center, Denmark
Custos: Professor Silvan Scheller, Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering
Understanding the catalytic mechanism of Mo-dependent formate dehydrogenases
Mo-dependent formate dehydrogenases (Mo-FDHs) are potential electrocatalysts for CO2 conversion owing to their ability to operate at low redox potentials. Natural Mo-FDHs require enzyme engineering to improve their catalytic properties prior to application in industrial processes. However, the limited understanding of the catalysis of the CO2–formate interconversion by these enzymes prevents their engineering efforts, motivating the presented research in this dissertation.
The dissertation starts with the investigation of the contributions of two highly conserved active-site residues to the catalytic function of a Mo-FDH from E. coli (EcFDH-H). A growth-based screening strategy is then designed, evaluated, and applied to understand the role of five no-conserved active-site residues on the catalysis of EcFDH-H. The dissertation finally focuses on seventeen non-conserved surface-exposed residues aiming at generating variants that can be employed for site-specific electrode attachment and electrochemical characterization and for subsequently exploring the potential electron transfer pathways in EcFDH-H.
The results of this dissertation provide important insights into the reaction mechanism of CO2–formate interconversion by Mo-FDHs and identify potential targets for future engineering works aiming at improving their catalytic properties, thereby promoting the development of proficient catalysts for CO2 utilization.
→Thesis available for public display 10 days prior to the defence
Contact information:
Feilong Li
feilong.li@aalto.fi