INRAE Senior Scientist Jean-Guy Berrin visiting NTUA
We were delighted to welcome Dr. Jean-Guy Berrin from INRAE to NTUA, where he delivered a seminar titled “Oxidative CAZymes: Sophisticated Weapons of Fungal Phytopathogens.” Dr. Berrin shared his pioneering research on oxidative carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), explaining how fungi use these versatile enzymes to break down plant cell walls during infection. His work highlights the remarkable adaptability of these enzymes to diverse substrates and the mechanisms that make them such effective biological tools.
The seminar resonated strongly with our own research on plastic upcycling, where we employ lignocellulose-active enzymes to hydrolyze or oxidize synthetic polymers. Just as Dr. Berrin studies enzyme diversity to understand fungal strategies, we leverage the catalytic versatility of these enzymes to target a range of plastics, promoting sustainable recycling and valorization.
Dr. Berrin’s visit sparked engaging discussions on enzyme mechanisms, substrate specificity, and the design of multi-functional biocatalysts.
We thank him for his contribution and look forward to exploring future collaborations that bridge insights from fungal biology and innovative solutions for plastic waste.
