Enzyme Development and Gene Expression Group - Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences
Enzyme Development and Gene Expression Group
The group is led by Professor Helena Nevalainen and Professor Peter Bergquist. It consists of researchers specialising in different areas of applied microbiology and enzymology. We accommodate projects based on the application of microbial systems to replace deleterious chemicals in a range of industrial processes, development of environmentally-compatible production technologies and new generation products. Specific areas of research include:
 Gene prospecting |
 Directed enzyme evolution |
 Fungal biotechnology |
We also study fungal systems for efficient expression and large scale synthesis of recombinant gene products in addition to monitoring and assessment of microorganisms and their genes in extreme environments and biochemical analysis of their proteins. Our international scientific and industry collaborators come from Europe, the Americas, South Africa and South East Asia. The laboratory welcomes honours and Postgraduate students, internship students and visiting scientists to pursue specific research tasks in our areas of expertise.
Members of the group include:
Dr Moreland Gibbs, Dr Junior Te’o, Dr Georgina Learmonth, Ms Nonna Saakova and Ms Ros Reeves ( all working for Applimex Systems); Dr Mick Godlewski and Dr Jasmine Grinyer.
PhD students & project titles:
Elizabeth Hardiman: Enzyme evolution using random drift mutagenesis.
Kathryn Hughes: Exploring the microbial diversity of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica.
Liisa Kautto: Proteasome of the filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei.
Nirupama Manalil: A proteomic approach into biological control of sugar cane grubs.
Shingo Miyauchi; Enhanced expression of xylanase in Trichoderma reesei.
Suja Mohammed: Novel cold-active enzyme activities from filamentous fungi.
Robyn Peterson: Australian herbivores as sources for novel enzyme activities.
Hong Yu: Visualisation of the protein secretion pathway of the industrially-exploited filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei.