About this Research Topic
Lignocellulosic biomass could be a potential feedstock to produce valuable products such as biofuels and biochemicals. However, the conversion of plant biomass into simple sugars is a rate limiting step due to its inherent recalcitrance and costs associated with its pre-treatment. Interestingly, certain cellulolytic microorganisms have evolved to efficiently solubilize and utilize lignocellulosic biomass through the synergistic action of unique catalytic enzymes. One of the most notable examples of such a system is the "cellulosome," an enzymatic complex produced by anaerobic bacteria and some fungi (e.g., Clostridium thermocellum) that can effectively break down plant cell walls into simple sugars, which can be used to produce value added products. Recent advances in synthetic biology have enabled the engineering of cellulosomes and enhancement of their activity and stability, including the incorporation of new types of enzymes and designer scaffoldin into existing cellulosomes. Additionally, synthetic biology tools have enabled the creation of tailor-made cellulosomes (also called designer cellulosomes) for specific feedstocks, thus further improving their efficiency and reducing the cost of bioenergy production.
However, there are still many challenges to be overcome, such as optimizing the production and application of cellulosomes at industrial scale, and developing systems to better control the composition of cellulosomes. Hence, the major goal of this Research Topic is to gather novel research in the isolation, identification of novel cellulosome producing bacterial or fungal species from various habitats, and the identification and characterization of novel cellulosomal enzymes to achieve efficient biomass degradation.
This Research Topic also focuses on the modification of native cellulosomes to create novel designer cellulosomes using genetic engineering tools to enhance enzyme proximity and synergism. But also, the engineering of cellulosomal systems into industrial ethanologenic organisms for use in consolidated bioprocessing approaches.
Hence, this Research Topic aims to gather Original Research, Review, Mini Reviews, and Perspectives relating to but not limited to the following themes:
• Isolation and identification of novel cellulosomes.
• Isolation and characterization of novel cellulosomal enzymes.
• Demonstration of novel cellulosomal complex formation (new or modified cohesin-dockerin interaction).
• Structural studies of cellulosomal complexes formation using x-ray crystallography or cryo-electron microscopy.
• Incorporation of novel enzymes into cellulosomes.
• Development of the ‘designer cellulosomes’ and their application in bioenergy production.
• Engineering of cellulosomal genes into an industrial host to enable the development of new CBP hosts.
However, there are still many challenges to be overcome, such as optimizing the production and application of cellulosomes at industrial scale, and developing systems to better control the composition of cellulosomes. Hence, the major goal of this Research Topic is to gather novel research in the isolation, identification of novel cellulosome producing bacterial or fungal species from various habitats, and the identification and characterization of novel cellulosomal enzymes to achieve efficient biomass degradation.
This Research Topic also focuses on the modification of native cellulosomes to create novel designer cellulosomes using genetic engineering tools to enhance enzyme proximity and synergism. But also, the engineering of cellulosomal systems into industrial ethanologenic organisms for use in consolidated bioprocessing approaches.
Hence, this Research Topic aims to gather Original Research, Review, Mini Reviews, and Perspectives relating to but not limited to the following themes:
• Isolation and identification of novel cellulosomes.
• Isolation and characterization of novel cellulosomal enzymes.
• Demonstration of novel cellulosomal complex formation (new or modified cohesin-dockerin interaction).
• Structural studies of cellulosomal complexes formation using x-ray crystallography or cryo-electron microscopy.
• Incorporation of novel enzymes into cellulosomes.
• Development of the ‘designer cellulosomes’ and their application in bioenergy production.
• Engineering of cellulosomal genes into an industrial host to enable the development of new CBP hosts.
Keywords: cellulosome, Protein Complex, Biofuel Production, Enzyme Engineering, Biodegradation, Consolidated Bioprocessing, Sustainable Energy, Sustainability, Biofuel
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
