2 doktorander i Biology, specalization in Biotechn

Project 1: Explore and harness lignin depolymerization by fungi and Project 2: Lipid production from lignocellulosic biomass by oleaginous yeasts
Microbial conversion of lignocellulose: Elucidating molecular mechanisms of fungal ligning depolymerisation, and conversion of lignocellulose and glycerol to fatty acids for fuel, feed and food production. The current global economy largely converts fossil resources to fuels, chemicals and food, and finally to waste. This linear process results in the loss of non-renewable resources, insecurity of supply and environmental problems. Replacing fossil resources by plant biomass is generally seen as a crucial step towards a more sustainable society. The major biomass on earth is lignocellulose, i.e. the non-edible, structure biomass of plants. Lignocellulose consists of three major components: two types of polysaccharides, cellulose and hemicellulose, which are embedded in a complex aromatic polymer matrix called lignin. Cellulose is used by the pulp- and paper industry and can, after thermochemical pre-treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis, be converted to ethanol. In spite of a variety of efforts to produce biofuels out of hemicellulose, no commercially viable process could be developed yet, and lignin is a completely underutilised component of plant biomass. In our projects we work towards valorisation of lignocellulose in different ways.

Project 1 aims to explore the genomes and secretomes of potent wood and humus degrading fungi towards a consolidated roadmap to the chemistry and molecular biology of lignin depolymerisation, and to identify compounds for novel biotechnical solutions to lignocellulose biorefinery. The lignin matrix is a major barrier to degradation, in industry as well as in nature, and separation of cellulose and hemicellulose from lignin is a major bottleneck to efficient lignocellulose utilisation. Higher fungi have evolved chemistries to depolymerise lignin and overcome the barrier. They are the major wood decomposers in nature and thus play a key role in the global carbon cycle. Despite this, the mechanisms are not well understood and the function of many of their genes is unknown. This project will include genomics and proteomics studies, advanced NMR and mass spectrometry techniques for biomass and lignin analyses, molecular cloning and heterologous expression of enzyme-encoding genes in yeast and/or filamentous fungi, gene silencing in fungi, and protein structure studies by X-ray crystallography.

Project 2 investigates the conversion of all components of lignocellulose (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) and glycerol, a residue from biodiesel production, into lipids, using oleaginous yeasts that can accumulate 70% and more of their biomass as lipids. Lipids are advantageous to carbohydrates and ethanol, because they are more energy dense, and because they can more readily replace fossil oil in existing petrochemical industry processes for production of fuels and chemicals. The fatty acid profiles vary between different yeasts. Some produce lipids suitable for conversion to biodiesel, wheareas others may be rich in e.g. omega-3 and poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and useful for fish feed and food production. This project will involve advanced fermentation techniques, biomass analyses, biochemical and molecular methods, and geneomics technologies.

The research group is highly international with extensive research collaboration locally and internationally. Our laboratories are well equipped for general chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology work, and also in terms of advanced heavy instrumentation, such as fermentors and bioreactors; NMR; mass spectrometry; X-ray crystallography; confocal, electron and atomic force microscopy. The research environment will provide insights into a broad spectrum of aspects ranging from biology, genomics, bioinformatics, to biochemistry, chemistry, analyses and process engineering, and will provide extended contact networks both within academia and with industry, in benefit of education, training and career opportunities for the young researchers.


Kvalifikationer: An eligible candidate should have an MSc degree in subjects relevant for the position, such as one within Microbiology, Biochemistry, or Molecular Biology. Well-documented knowledge about filamentous fungi and yeasts, preferably non-conventional yeasts, experience in molecular manipulation of filamentous fungi and yeasts, training in microbial cultivation using fermenters are highly valued merits. Previous experience with laboratory work relevant to the project is desirable; in particular experience in molecular cloning, heterologous gene expression, genomics technologies, lipid extraction from microorganisms and various types of biochemical characterization of lipids (both mainly for the second project) are highly valued merits. Experience in project-related topics such as biofuels and/ or food science would be desirable. The working language in the research group is English; excellent communication skills in English orally and in writing are therefore required. We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate interested in academic research on the international bioenergy research arena, and we put great emphasis on personal characteristics of the successful applicant