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EXTREMOPHILES

for

FUTURE 

Hot Enzymes vs Global Warming

Winning Project of Challenge 2022

Dott.ssa Beatrice Cobucci Ponzano

Prof. Marco Moracci

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In the energy sector, the Renewable Energy Directive of 2009 (RED – 2009/28/EC) requires that at least 20% of the energy produced and used within the European Union comes from renewable sources.

Renewable raw materials, used for the production of biofuels, play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Mad for Science Challenge 26 maggio 2022

The project we proposed was born from the analysis of the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In particular, in the context of the energy transition and a circular economy, we focused on the measures that Europe is implementing to reduce the use of fossil fuels, in favor of alternative sources, such as lignocellulosic biomass.

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Production of Second Generation Bioethanol

Mad for Science Challenge 26 maggio 2022

Schematic representation of biocatalysed bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass.

Buddrus, L. (Author). 1 Mar 2017.

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Project Core and Parternship

Our project aims to identify S. solfataricus genes encoding enzymes capable of degrading appropriately selected biomasses.

Mad for Science Challenge 26 maggio 2022

To achieve the objectives set, a collaboration has been started with the Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR-NA) of the CNR and with the Department of Biology of the Federico II University of Naples: the two research groups have been studying enzymes that degrade lignocellulosic biomass for years, with particular attention to extremophilic enzymes extracted from S. solfataricus, which populates the Solfatara of Pozzuoli.

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Biolaboratory’s Opening

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Biolaboratory

Winning the first prize, we were able to organize our Lab with the most modern equipment

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Equipment

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Equipment

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EXTREMOPHILES LAB

Realisation of the Winning Project of the Challenge 2022

Percorso di PCTO AS 24/25

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Timeline of Laboratory Experiments

I Year

II Year

III Year

IV Year

V Year

I esp.-II esp

III esp.-IV esp

IV esp.-V esp

II esp- III esp.

I esp.-II esp

V esp.- I esp *

Mad for Science Challenge 26 maggio 2022

The course is aimed at students attending the last three years of secondary school who show particular interest in scientific degrees and takes place in extra-curricular time, as PCTO (Pathways for Transversal Skills and Orientation). Laboratory experiments in which students are involved are preceded by theoretical preparatory lectures, given by researchers of the IBBR-NA and/or the Department of Biology of the Federico II of Naples.

The project must be organised over 5 school years

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Realization of the Project

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Realization of the Project

AS 22/23

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Realization of the project

AS 23/24

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Realization of the project

AS 23/24

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Realization of the project

AS 24/25