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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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BioUPGRADE INtroduction video

Upcoming events

March 10, 2025 - Events

September 22-24, Final Plenary meeting, Lappeenranta Finland

BioUPGRADE receives extension and arranges the final project meeting at the end of September. The meeting will take place in Lappeenranta where UPM operates a bio [...] Read more »

April 29, 2024 - Events

LIGNOBIOTECH 2024 - 7th Symposium on Bi­o­tech­no­logy Ap­plied to Ligno­cel­lu­loses, October 14-17, 2024

Replacing fossil carbon with renewable resources is essential to achieve climate neutrality goals. In this context, lignocellulose which is the second most abundant source of renewable carbon on Earth is the most promising feedstock. Over the years, the [...] Read more »

Latest news

March 19, 2025 - News

New publication in Carbohydrate Polymers a collaboration between Aalto and CIC BioGUNE

This study reports the preparation of EnCNC an ancestral endoglucanase from BioGUNE combined with an expansin-related protein produced in Aalto. In particular, the study demonstrated the potential of loosenin PcaLOOL12 to not only enhance the enzymatic [...] Read more »

March 10, 2025 - News

New publication in Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory

With a lengthy and fruitful collaboration with Hugh O`Neill´s team at Oak Ridge National Laboratory we investigated the direct impact of microbial loosenins on holocellulose wood tissues. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is a promising technique to [...] Read more »

Bioupgrade collaborators

 
Aalto University
UPM
CIC biogune
KTH