Amparo Jiménez Quero 

A major focus of sustainable development research in biotechnology is finding ways of improving the usage of natural resources while decreasing the waste generation. The use of more efficient enzymatic treatment can reduce the energy cost of the bioprocess. For this propose I will investigate potential fungal enzymes with higher stability and specificity for complex natural matrices. Using the recalcitrant residue of processed lignocellulosic biomass for fungal solid-state fermentation, will depending on the residue composition and structure, directly influence the fungal secretion of degrading enzymes. This strategy can allow to discover more specific biocatalysts can transform natural resources into value chemicals.At the same time, an efficient biorefinery process tackles the use of by-products generated in order to create a real sustainable system for the future. I would like to implement the use of cutting-edge integrated fungal biotechnology to ensure the sustainable use of side-streams and recalcitrant residues from biorefinery of lignocellulosic biomass, as an example paper industry. Liquid side-streams from biomass treatments could be used as liquid media to support fungal growth influencing the composition and structure of fungal cell wall. This will provide a future alternative for mycelia cultivation in food, biomedical or material applications. Moreover, a hybrid fungal lignocellulose network generated by solid-state fermentation, can create composites as renewable and biodegradable materials as alternative to synthetic polyester that could be developed as a circular and biobased material for insulation with high compostability.