Biotechnology PhD Defense of Nadia Sufdar Ali - Monday, August 14 at 1 pm in CB 4058

You are invited to attend the Biotechnology PhD Defense of Nadia Sufdar Ali on Monday, August 14 at 1 pm in CB 4058.

Nadia will present her Biotechnology PhD research: A high throughput screening and characterization of laccase-producing bacterium Serratia quinivorans AORB19 that exhibits lignin degradation traits, dye de-colorization efficiency, and enhanced laccase production in biomass

Natural biodegradation processes hold promises for lignin degradation; coupled with high throughput (HTP) screening methods that focus on "microorganisms that we don't yet have" but are supposedly on the way, help scale up lignin reduction initiatives in industrial settings. Our study successfully isolated and identified ten new bacterial species and five fungal species from wood, that secrete significant extracellular lignin-degrading enzymes by HTP screening methods. Among them, a bacterial strain Serratia quinivorans AORB19, was extensively studied and characterized for its laccase production and lignin degrading potential to the genomic level. The strain showed remarkable efficiency in decolorization of textile dyes invitro, and potential for bioremediation due to its stability and tolerance to various harsh conditions. Furthermore, its capacity for enhanced laccase production while utilizing agro-industrial residues (Pea hull, canola meal, barley malt sprouts, flax meal and okara) as carbon sources indicates its potential for facilitating the biological pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomasses. Notably, the strain exhibited the ability to convert alkaline lignin into valuable intermediates such as p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and vanillin, indicating its potential for industrial use as a platform for value-added chemical production. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of this strain and its enzymes in harnessing the abundant biopolymer lignin, showcasing its potential for multiple applications in environmental remediation and sustainable lignocellulosic biorefineries.

Committee Members: Drs. Wensheng Qin and Trent Yang (co-supervisors), Dr. Jinqiang Hou, Dr. Ingeborg Zehbe and Dr. Daniel Shun-Chang Yang (external)

Everyone is welcome