NWO Open Technology funding for Marco Fraaije

Prof. Marco Fraaije of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (University of Groningen) has been awarded a grant of EUR 930,000 from the NWO Open Technology Programme for research into the valorization of oxidative enzymes. Using machine learning, the research project aims to improve enzyme production and better predict enzyme activity.

Partners are Leiden University and the biotech companies dsm-firmenich and GECCO-biotech.

Finding and developing new oxidases

The research of prof. M.W. Fraaije focuses on finding and developing new oxidases — a promising group of environmentally friendly enzymes that only need oxygen to carry out reactions. Because there are currently very few oxidases available, two things are being investigated: development of a tool for detecting new oxidases and improving a microorganism that can produce these enzymes. This should make it easier to discover new oxidases and apply them in biotechnology.

Open Technology Program

The Open Technology Program provides funding for application-oriented technical-scientific research. Scientists from all disciplines can submit proposals, and various companies and partners can participate in a project by making a financial or material contribution. Research applications are submitted throughout the year. This round, a total of six research projects received funding.

Read the NWO news here.