BERCO2 · Tailoring the electrode-enzyme interface for efficient bioelectrochemical CO2 reduction by formate dehydrogenase
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2021-09-01 → 2023-08-31
- EU contribution
- €191,149
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Tailoring the electrode-enzyme interface for efficient bioelectrochemical CO2 reduction by formate dehydrogenase
The "BERCO2" project, funded under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA), addresses the urgent global challenge of mitigating climate change by developing efficient and sustainable methods for carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction. Specifically, the project focuses on optimizing the electrochemical reduction of CO2 using enzymes, with a primary focus on formate dehydrogenase (FDH H). As the world grapples with the consequences of excessive CO2 emissions, finding effective ways to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels is paramount. The "BERCO2" project holds the promise of contributing to a sustainable future by harnessing the power of enzymes to convert CO2 into useful chemicals. This technology can potentially enable the production of sustainable fuels and chemicals, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change. Furthermore, it aligns with European policy objectives and strategies for environmental sustainability and innovation. The overall aim of the project is to develop efficient bioelectrochemical methods for reducing CO2 emissions, with a focus on optimizing the interface between enzymes and electrodes, ultimately contributing to sustainable CO2 reduction.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The main objective of this proposal is to optimize the enzyme-electrode interface to achieve efficient bioelectrochemical carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction by formate dehydrogenase (FDH). To achieve the overall goal of the proposed project, the specific objectives are: 1) Incorporation of an unnatural amino acid (UAA) to Molybdenum-containing FDH (Mo-FDH) such that the enzyme can be specifically and covalently attached to electrode surfaces with controlled orientation for improved electron transfer (ET) 2) Tailoring the bio-interface between electrodes and FDH H for facile electrocatalysis by direct ET (DET) or mediated ET (MET). This includes the design electrode surface with pyrene moieties/mediator for directing orientation of biocatalysts on electrode surfaces. 3) Bioelectrosynthetic CO2 capture with electrochemical systems exploiting UAA-FDH H. For this, the prepared UAA containing Mo-FDH based biocathodes will be coupled with a hydrogenase bioanode to provide a complete enzymatic biofuel cell (EBFC) producing formate (HCOO− )and simultaneously producing electrical energy from molecular hydrogen (H2) and CO2. The project will be conducted in 3 work packages associated with research objectives. An UAA will be introduced to FDH H for the first time, yielding an approach for site-specific functionalization of complex metalloenzymes with this project. The proposed technology is highly attractive because it presents a promising solution to tackle global climate issues and energy concerns by providing improved green conversion of CO2 to chemical fuels. This project will be undertaken within the group of Professor Ross Milton (University of Geneva, Switzerland) and a secondment of two months is planned with Prof. Jason Chin (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK) in order to develop skills in UAA incorporation.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITE DE GENEVE · GeneveCoordinatorSwitzerland
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union