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Welcome


BioUPGRADE unites expertise in functional genomics and material science to deliver breakthrough biotechnologies that sustainably upgrade nature’s main structural biopolymers into high-value and multipurpose materials.

Living organisms drive our planetary carbon cycle via biocatalysts that transform carbon-dioxide into an enormous array of diverse and functional molecules. A significant fraction of this carbon is transformed into structural cell wall polysaccharides, like cellulose, hemicelluloses, and chitin. Thus, these polysaccharides represent the most abundant source of natural polymers on Earth.

Today, most biocatalysts used in bio-based economies degrade structural polysaccharides for use as commodity chemicals and fuels. Instead, BioUPGRADE is driven by the untapped opportunity to channel the selectivity of biocatalysts to create high-value and sustainable bioproducts that maximize the efficient use of renewable bioresources.


Showing samples in test tubes on a lab bench. DNA electrophoresis gel. Sample being loaded on to a rheometer disc. Research scientist viewing a biological sample. Showing the syringe injection of reagents to a sample vessel
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Welcome

BioUPGRADE unites expertise in functional genomics and material science to deliver breakthrough biotechnologies that sustainably upgrade nature’s main structural biopolymers into high-value and multipurpose materials.

Living organisms drive our planetary carbon cycle via biocatalysts that transform carbon-dioxide into an enormous array of diverse and functional molecules. A significant fraction of this carbon is transformed into structural cell wall polysaccharides, like cellulose, hemicelluloses, and chitin. Thus, these polysaccharides represent the most abundant source of natural polymers on Earth.

Today, most biocatalysts used in bio-based economies degrade structural polysaccharides for use as commodity chemicals and fuels. Instead, BioUPGRADE is driven by the untapped opportunity to channel the selectivity of biocatalysts to create high-value and sustainable bioproducts that maximize the efficient use of renewable bioresources.


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Upcoming events


ACS Spring March 17-21, New Orleans

Division of Cellulose and Renewable Materials – Enzymatic Upgrading of Biopolymers Towards Multipurpose Functional Materials Structural cell wall polysaccharides such as cellulose, chitin, and hemicelluloses constitute the main renewable resource from [...] Read more »

Latest news


Innovation News Network article about BioUPGRADE

BioUPGRADE: Advancing biocatalysts to enrich the global bioeconomy Emma Master, PhD, from Aalto University details how the BioUPGRADE project drives state-of-the-art innovations in biocatalysts THE overarching goal of the BioUPGRADE project is to establish [...] Read more »

Bioupgrade collaborators

 
Aalto University
UPM
CIC biogune
KTH