Producing mixed linked xylooligosaccharides from red algae biomass through single-step enzymatic hydrolysis.

Background: The red alga Palmaria palmata is a rich source of sugar compounds, particularly mixed-linkage xylans present in the cell walls of the algae. In contrast to their terrestrial lignocellulosic counterparts, these xylans are more easily accessible. They can be hydrolyzed enzymatically into valuable xylooligosaccharides (XOS), known for their prebiotic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties.

Discovery of the antifungal compound ilicicolin K through genetic activation of the ilicicolin biosynthetic pathway in Trichoderma reesei.

Background: Given the global rise in antimicrobial resistance, the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents and production processes thereof are of utmost importance. To this end we have activated the gene cluster encoding for the biosynthesis of the potent antifungal compound ilicicolin H in the fungus Trichoderma reesei. While the biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) is silent under standard cultivation conditions, we achieved BGC activation by genetically overexpressing the transcription factor TriliR.

Straight Forward and Versatile Differentiation of the l- and d--d- Heptose Scaffold.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are important bio-medical structures, playing a major role in the interaction with human immune systems. Their core regions, containing multiple units of l--d- heptoses (l,d-heptose), are highly conserved structurally (with 3 and 7 glycosidic bonds), making them an epitope of high interest for the potential development of new antibiotics and vaccines. Research in this field has always been restricted by the limited availability of the parent l,d-heptose as well as its biochemical epimeric precursor d--d- heptose (d,d-heptose).