BPI Research Day 2024 - Poster Competition

 

Research Day 2024

The BPI Research Day 2024 Poster Competition celebrates the dedication and passion of our researchers, providing an opportunity to showcase their work, enhance communication skills, and network with peers and guests from diverse backgrounds.

Eligibility

  • Students and postdocs who work within or collaborate with BPI research groups can participate.

Topics

  • Presentation topics should align with the following five BPI research themes. 
    1. Biocatalytic Transformation and Engineering of Biomass
    2. Bio-nanoparticle Enabled Materials
    3. Bio-based Polymers and Carbon Materials
    4. Biorefinery Systems
    5. BioProducts Ecosystem Analysis
  • Ensure that your presentation is not a broad overview of your research team; instead, concentrate on a specific research area where you are actively engaged. Highlight a significant outcome or work in progress, demonstrating its impact on society.

Poster Presentation Guidelines

  • Format: Print your poster in either 3’W x 4’H or 4'W x 3'H format. It's acceptable to reuse an existing poster if the dimensions are slightly different.
  • Setup: Poster boards and thumb tacks will be provided. Please arrive by 9:15 AM, and mount your poster on the designated poster board by 9:45AM. 
  • Presentation: Participants will be divided into two groups and will present during either Poster Session #1 or #2. 
  • Stamp Rally: Pick up a stamp at the check-in and give a stamp to your visitors. When you are not presenting, you can visit other presenters to collect 15+ stamps and enter the prize draw.

Judges

  • Head Judge: Titichai Navessin 
  • Judge Coordinator: Ran Bi
  • Faculty: Anubhav Pratap-Singh, Bhushan Gopaluni, Chunping Dai, Faride Unda, Jaya Joshi, John Frostad, Qingshi Tu, Shahab Sokhansanj, Tianxi Yang, Tony Bi, Vasileios Kontogiorgos, Yankai Cao
  • Industry Partners: Ana Xavier, Keith Gourlay, Pablo Chung, Simren Brar, Victor Padilla, Yitzac Goldstein
  • Staff: Titichai Navessin, Daniela Figueroa
  • HQP: Behzad Zakani, Bill Cheng, Chalitangkoon Jongjit, Elaheh Ghasemi, Hana Mohammadi, Kudzanai Nyamayaro, Megan Roberts, Nicholas Lin, Penghui Zhu, Saeedreza Zahabi, Shawn Du, Wenbo Chen, Yalan Liang, Yeling Zhu
  • EDI.I Finalist Judges: Ayako Takagi, Daniela Figueroa, Jaya Josh, Qingshi Tu, Titichai Navessin, Yalan Liang

Judging Criteria

Best Poster Awards
  • Content & Appearance - 50%
    • Application Relevance (10%): Matches BPI scope and potential impacts
    • Clarity of Presentation (10%): Purpose, progress, and outcomes of the study clearly stated 
    • Originality (10%): Novelty of the research approach
    • Accessibility (10%): Effective display of science and technology, understandable to both scientific and non-scientific audiences 
    • Design Quality (10%): Creativity and quality of poster layout and design that enhances the message 
  • Communication Skills - 50% 
    • Concept Explanation (10%): Ability to clearly and effectively communicate complex concepts to both scientific and general audiences 
    • Body Language (10%): Effective use of body language, including eye contact, vocal variety, and gestures 
    • Confidence and Enthusiasm (10%): Knowledge of and enthusiasm about the research and its impacts 
    • Professionalism (10%): Professional demeanor in hosting visitors 
    • Interaction (10%): Ability to address judges' questions and engage in discussions 
    • Participants will be assessed based on the effectiveness of their communication, not on language fluency, to ensure a fair evaluation for everyone, regardless of their native language.
EDI.I Excellence Award 
  • Impact (30%): Show your research's potential for significant contributions to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigeneity
  • Community Engagement (30%): Demonstrate your strategies for meaningful community engagement in your research process, addressing inclusivity across gender, race, age, cultural backgrounds, Indigenous communities, or underrepresented groups
  • Data Collection & Analysis (20%): Highlight how your data collection mitigates biases, and your analysis and reporting processes take diversity factors into account
  • Accessible Dissemination (20%): Present your findings in formats accessible to all, using inclusive language and clearly explaining technical terms, while acknowledging contributions from diverse groups

Prizes

  • Best Poster Awards: $300 each for the top three presenters who earned the highest scores according to the Best Poster Awards criteria
  • EDI.I Excellence Award: $300 for the top presenter who earned the highest score according to the EDI.I Excellence Award criteria
  • People's Choice Award: $100 each for the presenters who receive the most audience votes from each session.

Timeline

  • 09:15AM-09:45AM    Poster Setup
  • 10:00AM-10:20AM     Welcome Address
  • 10:15AM-10:40AM     BPI Update
  • 10:40AM-11:40AM     Poster Session - Group A
  • 11:40PM-12:15PM     Networking lunch
  • 12:15PM-01:15PM     Poster Session - Group B (Lunch continues)
  • 01:15PM-01:55PM     Keynote Presentations #1 & #2
  • 01:55PM-02:10PM     Award Ceremony & Closing
  • 02:10PM-02:30PM     Cleanup

Poster List

Posters are listed in the order of poster numbers. Please remember your number for mounting your poster on the corresponding poster board. 

Group A presents from 10:40AM-11:40AM
A-1  Cecilia Cancellara, Master's Student - Freeze-Dried Tannic Acid-Coated Cellulose Nanocrystals for Easy Redispersion and Functionalization
A-2  Isobel McLean, Master's Student - Mycelium-Based Biocomposites in Architecture
A-3  Mojdeh Rezaei Khamseh, PhD Student - Multilayered Lignin-Based Electrospun Mats for Absorption-Dominant Electromagnetic Interference Shielding
A-4  Samuel Brown, Master's Student - Where is the Water? Insights into Water Absorption in Paper
A-5  Kanageswari Singaraveloo, PhD Student - Mild Thermal Treatment of Cellulosic Biomass to Produce Binderless Carbonized Pellets
A-6  Ruby Osei-Bonsu, PhD Student - Sustainable Extraction of Functionalized Cellulose Nanocrystals via Subcritical Water Technology
A-7  Qi Hua, PhD Student - Multi-Functional Hot-Press Film: Harnessing the Power of Lignin-Ecoflex Blend for Enhanced Performance in Food Packaging
A-8  Lisanne de Vries, Postdoc - Enhancing Monolignol Ferulate Conjugate Levels in Poplar Lignin via OsFMT1
A-9  Zirui Tang, Master's Student - Life Cycle Assessment of Priority Biobased Chemicals: A Review and Meta-Regression
A-10  Alexandra Rousseau, PhD Student - Electrochemical TEMPO-Mediated Oxidation of Cellulose Nanocrystals
A-11  Isabella Howley, Undergrad Student - Valorizing Industrial Waste: Bacterial Cellulose from Red Wine Vinegar Production for Bio-Based Packaging Applications
A-12  Adel Jalaee, PhD Student - Advanced Polymer Composite Reinforced with Biobased Materials
A-13  Adam Wu, Postdoc - Regioselective Surface Esterification of Softwood Mechanical Pulp Fines as Hydrophilic Paper Strength Additives
A-14  Wanyue Tan, Master's Student - General Life Cycle Assessment of Harvested Wood Products in North America
A-15  Amanda Ackroyd, PhD Student - Self-Assembly and Phase Separation of Cellulose Nanocrystals Under Capillary Confinement
A-16  Logan Robeck, PhD Student - Microbial Cell Factories to Valorize Lignin
A-17  Yeedo Chun, PhD Student - Achieving Hierarchical Ordered Porosity in Biobased Materials
A-18  Zhangmin Wan, PhD Student - Multiscale Analysis of the Deconstruction of Residual Biomass
A-19  Shiva Zargar, PhD Student - An Integrated Analytical Platform for Pioneering Sustainable Bioeconomy Solutions
A-20  Akshai Bose, PhD Student - Buffer-Induced Hedgehog Defect in Hyaluronic Acid/Cellulose Nanocrystals Suspensions for Drug Delivery Applications
A-21  Aditya Mohandas, Undergrad Student - Developing Chemical Binder-Free and Oven-Dried Pulp/Clay Composite Foams
A-22  Matheus Barros, PhD Student - Assessing the Combination Potential of Starch Nanoparticles and Chitin Nanocrystals in Optimizing Pickering Emulsion Stability
A-23  Anderson Veiga, PhD Student - X-ray Tomography for Visualizing the Internal Structure of Paper Products Using Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Labeling
Group B presents from 12:15PM-1:15PM
B-1  Tristan Liu, PhD Student - Citric Acid-Grafted Cellulose Nanocrystals with High Yield and Tailored Performance
B-2  Akash Madhav Gondaliya, PhD Student - Magnetic Wood as a Substitute to Metals for EMI Shielding
B-3  Majed Amini, PhD Student - Flexible 3D-Printed Cellulosic Constructs for EMI Shielding and Piezoresistive Sensing
B-4  Julia Azzi, Master's Student - Understanding Colloidal Lignin Particle Synthesis Through Structure-Property Relationships
B-5  Kalen Dofher, PhD Student - An Automated High-Throughput Lighting-System for Screening Photosynthetic Microorganisms in Plate-Based Formats
B-6  Ariane Fernandes, PhD Student - Tailoring Cellulose Nanocrystal and Xyloglucan Interactions to Produce Biodegradable Microbeads
B-7  Seyyed Alireza Hashemi, PhD Student - Anti-Reflection Interfacially Complexed Graphene-Cellulose Aerogels
B-8  Kevin Oesef, PhD Student - Manufacturing and Characterisation of Hydrophobised Cellulose Nanofibril-Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Composites
B-9  Faye Hajiali, Postdoc - Advancing Adsorbent Discovery for Carbon Capture Through Machine Learning
B-10  Bidhan Bhuson Roy, PhD Student - Dynamic Assessment of Wood Demand in a Forest-Based Bioeconomy: Integrating Decarbonization Strategies with Service Level Scenarios
B-11  Tao Zou, Postdoc - Lignin Effect on the Foaming and Properties of Flexible Polyurethane Foams
B-12  Maria Andrea Ortiz Medrano, PhD Student - Chitin and Inorganic Oxides Composites Towards Battery Applications
B-13  Xun Niu, PhD Student - Structured Emulgels by Interfacial Assembly of Terpenes and Nanochitin
B-14  Nannaphat Sukkasam, Postdoc - Cyanobacterial Systems Engineering for Sustainable Applications Through a Chemical Genetics Approach via High-Throughput Screening of Bioactive Compounds
B-15  Anne Lalande, PhD Student - Engineering a Microbial Biocatalyst for the Valorization of Acetovanillone
B-16  Elizabeth Dobrzanski, PhD Student - Versatile Method to Produce Wood Particle Foams for Building Insulation
B-17  Jinsheng Gou, Visiting Professor - Preparation and Characterization of Sustainable Wastepaper Cushion Foam
B-18  Marina Mehling, PhD Student - Western Hemlock Tree Bark for Clean Water
B-19  Yang Li, PhD Student - Geospatial Techniques Applied to Achieve Net Zero Energy Urban Buildings
B-20  Peijin Jiang, Undergrad Student - Revealing Material Requirements and Environmental Impact for Canadian Wind Energy Development Based on Material Flow Analysis
B-21  Xuetong Shi, PhD Student - Solid Wood Modification Toward Anisotropic Elastic and Insulative Foam-Like Materials
B-22  Huaiyu Zhang, PhD Student - High-Internal-Phase Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Surface-Modified Xylan Nanoparticles
B-23  Sarah Lin, Undergrad Student - Exploration of the Cottonization of Canadian Grown Hemp Bast Fibers Using Steam Explosion
B-24  Megan Wolf, PhD Student - Characterization of a Cytochrome P450 That Catalyzes the O-Demethylation of Lignin-Derived Benzoates

 

POSTER ABSTRACTS

A-01 Cecilia Cancellara, Master's Student - Freeze-Dried Tannic Acid-Coated Cellulose Nanocrystals for Easy Redispersion and Functionalization

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) show great promise in applications across many areas including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, building materials, adhesives, etc. Tailoring the surface chemistry of CNCs expands their potential applications. Tannic acid, another plant-derived compound has been coated onto CNCs to impart UV resistance, metal chelating capabilities, and to allow for further chemical functionalization. This work studies the colloidal stability of dried tannic acid-coated CNCs and their redispersibility. The performance of modified CNCs was studied as a function of tannic acid coating reaction time and the redispersion method (i.e., simple mixing, bath sonicator, probe sonicator). Obtaining chemically and colloidally stable CNCs pre-coated with tannic acid makes them easier to store and transport as well as more convenient to use.

 

A-02 Isobel McLean, Master's Student - Mycelium-Based Biocomposites in Architecture

The Biogenic Architecture Lab is developing new technologies, applications and products for mycelium-based materials, which consist of lignocellulose sourced as waste from forestry or agriculture that is bound together by the root-like network of mushrooms. These novel materials are grown rather than manufactured and offer a natural biodegradable alternative to polystyrene foams. In addition to their physical properties, mycelium biocomposites are tunable, propagate rapidly and are capable of self-assembly and self-regeneration. They offer transformative potential in applications such as packaging, consumer products and construction materials.
Research work at the Biogenic Architecture Lab focuses on template moulding and 3D bioprinting with mycelium, including printing the first living mycelium samples in North America. Currently, our projects focus on optimizing parameters to accelerate and scale the production time of these methods, including species selection, nutrient additives, and sterility requirements. This emerging design research combines our knowledge of mycelium materials and fabrication methods to produce beautiful functional objects at the human-scale.

A-03 Mojdeh Rezaei khamseh, PhD Student - Multilayered Lignin-Based Electrospun Mats for Absorption-Dominant Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

In the pursuit of achieving high absorption-dominancy in electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials, coupled with the increased interest in the use of sustainable alternatives, this study presents a novel approach by engineering lignin-based nanofiber mats. Using electrospinning, we fabricated thin and flexible nanofiber mats with an engineered multilayer strategy by introducing precise levels of porosity, conductivity, and magnetism into each layer. This feat is realized by embedding Fe3O4 nanoparticles into the lignin-based layers and electrospraying a conductive polymer (PEDOT:PSS) onto selected internal layers. The suggested porous multilayer with a conductivity of 200 S/m enhances absorption-dominant EMI shielding (A>0.5) even with low thicknesses (~ 200 µm). The results exhibit promising EMI shielding performance with a shielding efficiency suitable for most industrial applications (31 dB). This study offers insights into the design and fabrication of advanced shielding materials, opening avenues for sustainable and efficient electromagnetic interference management in various industrial and electronic domains or wearable electronics.
Keywords: Lignin, Electrospinning, EMI shielding, Wearable electronics 

A-04 Samuel Brown, Master's Student - Where is the Water? Insights into Water Absorption in Paper

Water absorbency is a critical material property in paper-based products. Promoting or impeding this property relies on characterizing the dynamics of imbibition at the microscale, a phenomenon currently lacking scientific consensus. In particular, it has been noted that classical models for imbibition, such as the Bell-Cameron-Lucas-Washburn equation, can be inaccurate and we theorize that such models do not encompass all the physical mechanisms necessary to characterize imbibition. To investigate microscale imbibition behaviours such as partial saturation, interphase mass transfer, and fibre swelling, we performed a systematic study where we visualized the microscopic flow field under the influence of various physical and chemical treatments. To this end, we employed the use of imaging techniques such as X-ray microtomography, X-ray radiography, fluorescence microscopy, and backlight imaging. Taken together, these investigations clarify the microscale imbibition behaviours of paper and highlight potential mechanisms to target when aiming to enhance or resist imbibition.

A-05 Kanageswari Singaraveloo, PhD Student - Mild Thermal Treatment of Cellulosic Biomass to Produce Binderless Carbonized Pellets

Biochar, a carbon-rich charred material, finds diverse uses such as soil enhancement, construction material, wastewater treatment adsorbent, and energy source. Pelletized biochar offers several advantages over using it in its ground or loose form. Forming a durable pellet from biochar can be a challenging task due to the loss of natural binding properties and weakened bonding forces caused by carbonization. On the other hand, deep carbonization leads to the fractionation of biomass into solid, liquid, and gas components, which require a complex system for their recovery and use. To address these challenges, this research investigates the pelletability of mildly carbonized biomass by lowering the treatment temperature and analyzes the effects of particle size on pellet internal structure. The materials used in this research are southern yellow pine woodchip and wheat straw. The biomass is exposed to temperatures of 230-270 for 10 to 30 minutes in a high-temperature reactor in a nitrogen environment.  A severity factor (SF) is defined to quantify the degree of carbonization by combining the influences of reaction time and temperature into a unified variable. Pellet density and integrity of untreated and treated biomass are analyzed systematically by using a single pellet analyzer. Initial tests showed differences between untreated and treated pellets, but no significant difference between pellets treated at 250¬∞C for 10 minutes and those treated at 230¬∞C for 30 minutes (p-value >> 0.05). Further research is needed to identify optimal carbonization conditions. The laser diffraction technique is employed to measure the particle size distribution within a pellet before and after treatment. Brunauer‚ÄìEmmett‚ÄìTeller (BET) theory is used to explain the physical adsorption of gas molecules on a solid surface, quantifying specific surface area and porosity. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is applied to explore changes in functional groups of the treated and untreated material. The FTIR results indicated a significant reduction in hydroxyl (-OH) group intensity at 3200-3400 cm-1 after carbonization, suggesting increased hydrophobicity. Finally, moisture sorption properties of treated and untreated pellets are measured in an environmental chamber and by submerging pellets in liquid water.

A-06 Ruby Osei-Bonsu, PhD Student - Sustainable Extraction of Functionalized Cellulose Nanocrystals via Subcritical Water Technology

Subcritical water technology has shown very promising capabilities to replace the use of strong acids in the extraction of cellulose nanocrystals by using mainly water as the reaction solvent. Although this approach presents a “green” and an overall cost-effective approach to isolate these materials, the process currently suffers from low yields of cellulose nanocrystals with very little or no colloidal stability. The goal of this research is to optimize the overall yield of subcritical water hydrolyzed CNCs while improving their colloidal stability using a mechanochemical pretreatment. The effects of different mechanical pretreatments on fiber fibrillation to produce cellulose nanofibrils with high crystallinity prior to subcritical water treatment is investigated. This initial fibrillation from pretreatments before subcritical water treatment led to increased exposure and swelling of individual fibers enhancing maximum solvent accessibility during subcritical water extraction and efficient dissolution of undesirable amorphous regions to increase overall yield of isolated nanocrystals. To evaluate the degree of substitution, citric acid concentration is varied during ball milling to determine the optimal concentration for maximum grafting of surface groups. The presence of these charged surface groups enhanced electrostatic mobility of subcritical water isolated nanoparticles. The results from this study contributes significantly to improve commercialization of subcritical water technology for the industrial isolation of cellulose nanocrystals without the use of harsh and toxic chemicals.

A-07 Qi Hua, PhD Student - Multi-Functional Hot-Press Film: Harnessing the Power of Lignin-Ecoflex Blend for Enhanced Performance in Food Packaging

In this study, a two-step chemical modification method was applied to all types of hydroxyl groups on lignin, enabling the thermal blending of lignin and Ecoflex® (PBAT) to produce composite films for food packaging applications. In the first step, 90% of other hydroxyl groups were converted into aliphatic hydroxyl groups, and in the second step, the aliphatic hydroxyl groups were esterified by cinnamic acid, introducing abundant aromatic rings as well as vinyl groups. The modified lignin now possesses an aliphatic-aromatic structure, similar to Ecoflex®, thereby enhancing the miscibility between these two materials (up to 30% lignin content). Subsequent experiments revealed that adding 20% of modified lignin into Ecoflex® film resulted in the most significant improvement in mechanical properties, while adding 30% of modified lignin showed the best outcomes in UV blocking, barrier properties against oxygen and water vapor, and anti-oxidation ability. The strawberry ripening test indicated that the Ecoflex® film containing 30% of modified lignin extended the shelf-life of strawberries from 2 days to 7 days, much better than the results of Ziploc® bags and pure Ecoflex® films.

A-08 Lisanne de Vries, Postdoc - Enhancing Monolignol Ferulate Conjugate Levels in Poplar Lignin via OsFMT1

The phenolic polymer lignin is one of the primary chemical components of the secondary cell wall of plants. Due to the nature of lignin biosynthesis, several phenolic monomers can be incorporated into the polymer, as long as the monomer can undergo radicalization to participate in coupling reactions. In this study, we significantly enhance the level of incorporation of monolignol ferulate conjugates into the lignin polymer to improve the digestibility of the biomass. Overexpression of a rice Feruloyl-CoA Monolignol Transferase (FMT), OsFMT1, in hybrid poplar (Populus alba x grandidentata) produced transgenic trees clearly showing increased cell-wall-bound ester-linked ferulate, p-hydroxybenzoate, and p-coumarate, all of which are in the lignin as shown by NMR and DFRC. These exciting findings reveal that OsFMT1 has a broad substrate specificity and a higher catalytic efficiency than the previously published FMT from Angelica sinensis (AsFMT) expressed in trees. We also demonstrate the use of UV-Vis spectroscopy to rapidly screen plants for the presence of ferulate and p-hydroxybenzoate esters. Lastly, we show, via saccharification assays, that the OsFMT1 transgenic poplars have an improved processing efficiency compared to wild-type poplars and compared to AsFMT poplars, rendering OsFMT1 a promising gene to optimize the composition of lignocellulosic biomass.

A-09 Zirui Tang, Master's Student - Life Cycle Assessment of Priority Biobased Chemicals: A Review and Meta-Regression

The chemical industry is transitioning from relying on fossil fuels to renewable biomass as feedstocks for chemical production. Compared to traditional petrochemicals, these bio-based chemicals have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption throughout manufacturing processes. Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been widely utilized by researchers to assess the potential environmental impacts of biochemicals. However, the diversity in biorefinery features (e.g., the choice of feedstocks, platforms, and conversion processes) and LCA modeling assumptions (e.g., allocation methods, system boundary, and locations) will affect the environmental outcomes of bio-based chemicals, leading to high uncertainty in estimating their true environmental benefits. 
Our research provides a comprehensive analysis of Global Warming Potential (GWP) results for the production of 21 priority bio-based chemicals. We employed a system harmonization approach to minimize variations in functional unit and system boundary across 66 LCA case studies, resulting in 160 harmonized data points. The harmonized GWP results for each biochemical were then compared to their fossil-based counterparts. The results showed that most bio-based chemicals exhibited lower GWP results, mainly attributed to two mechanisms of GHG emissions reduction: (1) carbon sequestration credit through biomass growth, and (2) reduced emissions from the manufacturing processes (e.g., reduced energy consumption or direct GHG emissions). 
In addition, a meta-regression analysis (MRA) was conducted to analyze and contextualize the variability in observed environmental impacts of biochemical production. The results indicated that GHG emissions from biochemical processes (e.g., fermentation) are statistically higher than those from chemical (e.g., hydrolysis, catalysis) and electrochemical conversion pathways. Moreover, the meta-regression model can be utilized to estimate the GHG emissions of each bio-based chemical. We found that predicted GWP results showed a narrower range of variation compared to the original values, thanks to the benefits of standardizing study-level characteristics through the model. 
Our research will give recommendations for enhancing current biorefinery processes and provide an LCA dataset for future research.

A-10 Alexandra Rousseau, PhD Student - Electrochemical TEMPO-Mediated Oxidation of Cellulose Nanocrystals

A typical method to carboxylate nanocelluloses uses (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation. TEMPO ‚Äì a stable radical catalyst ‚Äì oxidizes primary alcohols to carboxylic acids. These -COOH groups are deprotonated over a wide pH range, making carboxylated nanocelluloses, such as cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), charged and colloidally stable in many aqueous environments. 
We used an electrochemical approach to replace oxidizing agents in TEMPO-mediated CNC oxidation. Conventional TEMPO-mediated oxidation uses strong oxidizing agents, such as bleach, to convert TEMPO to its reactive form TEMPO+. TEMPO+ then reacts with the alcohols on the cellulose surface to impart charged groups. The goal of this research is to replace the use of bleach with an electrochemical potential to oxidize TEMPO to TEMPO+. Because we cannot oxidize CNCs at the anode directly, we could investigate the selectivity and conversion of the reaction without confounding effects from secondary oxidizing agents. We used CNCs as a model cellulose substrate but believe the findings may be applicable to other forms of (nano)cellulose such as cellulose nanofibrils as well.
CNCs were electrochemically carboxylated at pH 8, 10, and 12 using TEMPO and 4-acetamido TEMPO to elucidate the impact of pH and catalyst identity on product selectivity and CNC properties (charge, crystallinity, degree of polymerization, and size). Chronoamperometry reveals that in the presence of CNCs, higher pH increases the turnover frequency of TEMPO to TEMPO+. However, bulk electrolysis demonstrates that lower pH increases reaction conversion of alcohols to carboxylic acids. Quantitative aldehyde and carboxylic acid titrations indicate that the first step of the reaction (alcohol to aldehyde) is promoted at high pH, while the second step (aldehyde to acid) proceeds faster at low pH. XRD and AFM show minimal physical changes in CNC properties, while degree of polymerization and yield decrease slightly, which we have attributed to beta elimination at high pH and high conversion.

A-11 Isabella Howley, Undergrad Student - Valorizing Industrial Waste: Bacterial Cellulose from Red Wine Vinegar Production for Bio-Based Packaging Applications

Bacterial cellulose is a major waste product from the red wine vinegar industry, where it is synthesized as a byproduct when bacteria ferment alcohol to produce acetic acid. The resultant bacterial nanocellulose is unique, as it is layered with various polyphenols, including tannins. This project aims to valorize this waste product to become industrially relevant and promote a circular bioeconomy. 
For control, a particular brand of red wine is fermented in dilution with an existing organic red wine vinegar and standardize against bacterial cellulose production in Hestrin Schramm (HS) media. A series of characterizations are completed to determine tannin, polyphenol, and glucose content in the wine. Alcohol concentration and ethanoic acid concentration are determined with alcohol hydrometry and a conductometric titration respectively to ensure that resultant red wine vinegar meets required FDA and EU regulations.
A novel bacterial cellulose drying and rehydration process is completed such that it can be reformed into biodegradable bioproducts that can be reinforced with tannic crosslinking. This unique cross-linked reinforcement from the tannins is hypothesized to be fire retardant and show conductivity, as well as demonstrating known properties like antioxidant and antibacterial tendencies. As such, this provides an opportunity for a host of applications, including bio-based packaging and smart textiles. Specific applications include formation to bioplastic films for the food packaging industry. 

A-12 Adel Jalaee, PhD Student - Advanced Polymer Composite Reinforced with Biobased Materials

At present, material extrusion is a widely used 3D printing method, and wood-reinforced polymeric filaments offer an eco-friendly alternative for various industries encompassing aviation, automotive, construction, and electronics. In this study, we explore biocomposites using sawdust (SD) and polypropylene (PP). SD, rich in cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose, is hydrophilic, while PP's hydrophobic nature hinders adhesion to SD. Traditional methods add costly coupling agents, compatibilizers, or initiators like Maleic Anhydride Polypropylene (MAPP) or Dicumyl Peroxide (DCP) in an attempt to enhance the adhesion properties of wood-plastic composites. However, it is worth noting that even in the presence of MAPP, PP maintains its high hydrophobicity and low surface energy, despite exhibiting considerable heterogeneity. Further complexity arises from the thermal degradation characteristics of wood sawdust during the melting, compounding, and molding process. These processes typically involve temperatures reaching approximately 200°C, which aligns with the standard processing temperature of PP. Consequently, the heightened thermal degradation of sawdust necessitates careful consideration when coupling agents or initiators, such as DCP, are introduced into the mix. In response to these challenges, we introduce an environmentally friendly approach involving premixing through cryo and planetary ball milling. This innovative method substantially bolsters the adhesion properties of PP and sawdust, resulting in superior dispersion quality and enhanced mechanical properties.

A-13 Adam (Jie) Wu, Postdoc - Regioselective Surface Esterification of Softwood Mechanical Pulp Fines as Hydrophilic Paper Strength Additives

During the processing and mechanical pulping of wood chips, the fines fraction is generated comprising a diverse mixture of micron-scale flake-like and fibrillar elements present in woody biomass. Depending on their type and concentration, the presence of fines in mechanical pulp can have both positive and negative effects on the mechanical characteristics of the final paper product by strengthening the fiber network. Consequently, fines have been used to some extent as additives to improve paper strength. To enhance the effectiveness of fines as paper strength additives, a regioselective surface esterification method was adopted, carried out under mild conditions (at 40 ¬∫C for 6.25 hours in the mixture of water and acetone). This method employed succinic anhydride and imidazole to convert surface hydroxyl groups into carboxylic acid groups, resulting in a final content of approximately 0.5 mmol g-1. This modification results in an enhanced hydrophilicity of fines, as evidenced by their increased moisture absorption capacity measured by dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) analysis. This, in turn, strengthens the hydrogen bonding among individual fines, as evidenced by a more than 150% improvement in tensile strength and Young's modulus when they are incorporated into thin films. When both types of fines were introduced at a concentration of 20 wt.% into a mixture of long fibers obtained from softwood thermomechanical pulp (TMP) isolated using the Bauer-Mcnett fiber classifier from regular TMP, it became evident that the fines modified with succinic anhydride were more effective in enhancing paper strength, including tensile (30%), tear (24%), and burst (3%) indices, likely due to enhanced hydrogen bonding between modified fines and the cellulose component from the fibers. In summary, by modifying mechanical pulp fines with succinic anhydride and imidazole, we reported a simple yet efficient approach to enhance the value of this by-product from the traditional pulping process. 

A-14 Wanyue Tan, Master's Student - General Life Cycle Assessment of Harvested Wood Products in North America

I will show a poster related to my master's research about general life cycle assessment of harvested wood products in North America, specifically in Ontario. 

A-15 Amanda Ackroyd, PhD Student - Self-Assembly and Phase Separation of Cellulose Nanocrystals Under Capillary Confinement

Within biological systems, geometric constraints on lyotropic liquid crystals (LCs) can guide the self-assembly of hierarchichal structures.[1] When confined to cylindrical capillaries, colloidally stable nanoparticles may result in structure that resemble those observed in nature, which may be useful for understanding the fundamental self-assembly process or advancing technologies requiring long-range order, such as photonic waveguides.[2],[3] Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are an examples of a colloidally stable nanoparticles that undergo self-assembly into left-handed chiral nematic (ChN) LC phase, which have been thoroughly studied under confinement.[4],[5],[6],[7] Despite this, suspensions of CNCs may experience unwanted phase separate or form defects trapped in the ChN structure, which compromises their long-range order.[8],[9] In my poster, I will describe our comprehensive studies on CNC ChN phase formation, propagation, and separation under confinement across long length scales and time periods. 

A-16 Logan Robeck, PhD Student - Microbial Cell Factories to Valorize Lignin

Lignin is a polymer that comprises up to 30% of the biomass of woody plants used to maintain rigidity and resist pests. Due to its stability and heterogeneity it is very recalcitrant. However, methods such as Oxidative Catalytic Fractionation (OCF) can break down lignin into varied substrates. These compounds can be transformed to commodities using microbial cell factories developed from microbes such as Rhodococcus jostii RHA1. This bacterium has a suite of catabolic enzymes with activity towards Lignin-Derived Aromatics (LDACs). Many of these compounds, especially aromatic aldehydes, can be toxic to RHA1. For instance, vanillin, an abundant LDAC, inhibits wild type RHA1 at concentrations above 1 mM.
We set out to improve RHA1’s tolerance to aromatic aldehydes. Our approach overexpresses the gene vdh, whose product, vanillin dehydrogenase, converts vanillin to vanillate. Four homologs: vdhRHA1 from RHA1, badA encoding an uncharacterized benzaldehyde dehydrogenase, vdhSYK6 from Sphingobium paucimobilis SYK-6, and vdhGD02 from Rhodococcus rhodochrous GD02 were transformed into RHA1 to generate the strains RHA1::vdhRHA1, RHA1::badARHA1, RHA1::vdhSYK6, and RHA1::vdhGD02. The engineered strains show increased tolerance to aromatic aldehydes such as veratraldehyde, vanillin, and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, growing at concentrations up to 10-fold higher than observed for wildtype.

A-17 Yeedo Chun, PhD Student - Achieving Hierarchical Ordered Porosity in Biobased Materials

Ordered porosity refers the structuring of pores in a material into structures with long-range order.

A-18 Zhangmin Wan, PhD Student - Multiscale Analysis of the Deconstruction of Residual Biomass

Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass to facilitate its deconstruction and fractionation can enable economical production of lignocellulosic biofuels and bioproducts. However, knowledge of pretreatment mechanisms is still limited. Here we combine computations and experiments to investigate the effects of a deep eutectic solvent (DES) consisting of choline chloride (ChCl) and oxalic acid (OA) on lignin-carbohydrate complex (LCC) stability, lignin structure, hemicellulose removal, and the properties of the resulting wheat straw pellets. Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations indicate that a DES with a molar ratio of 1:2 for ChCl to OA resulted in lignin conformations that were more expanded than those in a DES with a molar ratio of 2:1. Quantum chemical calculations were then performed to estimate the reaction free energy profile for cleavage of the guaiacyl:xylose ether bond linkage in an LCC model by OA. The ether oxygen between the xylose and guaiacyl group was found to be protonated during the reaction, leading to dissociation of the neutral coniferyl alcohol leaving group. This reaction, which does not occur to a significant extent in aqueous solution, was found to be favorable in DES based on its low activation (~8 kcal/mol) and reaction (~-10 kcal/mol) free energies. Scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectra were applied to determine the fibril structure, lignin distribution, and functional group modifications after DES treatment. We found that lignin expansion permits enhanced lignin-driven binding of particles within wheat straw pellets. As a result, the pellets demonstrate high mechanical stability and elevated combustion properties and are therefore potential feedstocks for producing high-quality solid fuel. This work sheds light on a mechanism of DES pretreatment that may lead to fruitful approaches for producing high-performance economic bioproducts.

A-19 Shiva Zargar, PhD Student - An Integrated Analytical Platform for Pioneering Sustainable Bioeconomy Solutions

This research revolves around the conceptualization and development of a cutting-edge integrated analytical platform meticulously designed to assess the pivotal role of forest biorefineries in steering us towards a sustainable bioeconomy. At the heart of this innovative platform lies the seamless integration of life cycle assessment (LCA), techno-economic analysis (TEA), and multi-objective optimization (MOO) methodologies, collectively employed to unravel the intricate dynamics governing the simultaneous reduction of environmental impacts and creation of economic value.
Within this multifaceted framework, the synergistic interaction of LCA, TEA, and MOO not only facilitates a comprehensive evaluation of forest biorefineries but also endeavors to unearth optimized solutions that strike a delicate balance between environmental considerations and cost-effectiveness. By leveraging the strengths of these methodologies, the platform seeks to navigate the intricate terrain of sustainable bioeconomic pathways, shedding light on how we can harmoniously achieve the twin objectives of environmental stewardship and economic prosperity.
A particular emphasis of this research is placed on the production processes of bioethanol, vanillin, and furfural within the context of a biorefinery. These three bioproducts are key players in the burgeoning landscape of sustainable bioeconomy, and a meticulous examination of their production pathways is paramount to understanding the intricate interplay between environmental impacts and economic feasibility. By delving into the nuanced intricacies of these bioproducts, my research aims to contribute invaluable insights that transcend conventional approaches, paving the way for optimized solutions and sustainable practices within the realm of forest biorefineries.

A-20 Akshai Bose, PhD Student - Buffer-Induced Hedgehog Defect in Hyaluronic Acid/Cellulose Nanocrystals Suspensions for Drug Delivery Applications

Hyaluronic acid (HA) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) suspensions hold significant promise for biomedical applications. HA, a natural lubricant found in various parts of the human body, and CNC, rod-shaped nanoparticles typically derived from biomass, offer unique properties such as lubrication and biocompatibility. The study investigates how the buffer media and particle interactions in HA/CNC suspensions affect the formation of nematic tactoids and the occurrence of hedgehog defects within the tactoids. 
The study identified hedgehog defects in HA/CNC suspensions in different buffers. Hedgehog defects occur when there is an isotropic core within an anisotropic tactoid. These defects move within the tactoid depending on the position of the non-nematic components, thereby affecting the tactoid shape. The study found three predominant defect positions: case 1, where the defect is at the center of the tactoid; case 2, where the defect translates from the center but remains inside the tactoid; and case 3, where the defect is outside the tactoid but interacts with it, causing an oblate shape. The study revealed that HA/CNC suspensions in buffers with pH 3.6 and 5 exhibit all three defect cases, while those at pH 7 and 8 predominantly display case 1 or case 2 defects. This variation suggests that the pH of the buffer media influences defect occurrence. Interestingly, suspensions in pure water do not exhibit hedgehog defects, indicating that ionic interactions play a crucial role in defect formation. The study attributed the observed changes in defect position with pH to the protonation and deprotonation of HA. Higher pH levels lead to the deprotonation of HA, increasing the repulsion of ions from the buffer. As a result, HA tries to be inside the CNC tactoid (case 1 and 2 defects) to shield HA from ions in the buffer and reduce repulsion. Therefore, CNC contributes to the nematic part of the tactoid, while HA contributes to non-nematic defects. HA-buffer ion interactions determine the defect position. This finding will be an important foundation in developing a drug delivery system utilizing the pH-dependent structural changing property.

A-21 Aditya Mohandas, Undergrad Student - Developing Chemical Binder-Free and Oven-Dried Pulp/Clay Composite Foams

Insulation is a key component of infrastructure, and has created a growing, multi-billion dollar global industry. Conventional insulating materials are made from petrochemical or glass/mineral materials, which are unsafe and unsustainable. This study advances a novel chemical binder-free pulp/clay composite foam as a sustainable alternative. Pressurized disk milling was used to create submicron “hairy” fibrillation on the surface of refiner mechanical pulp (RMP), and these fibers were then subjected to foam laying, in which kaolinite, an efficient and cost-effective fire retardant, was incorporated. After oven-drying, the foams showed suitable structural and mechanical robustness. The foams had a clay retention of up to 2 folds by weight, without compromising the properties of the foam. This meant that chemical binders did not need to be added; their absence lead to facile recyclability, which was demonstrated over three cycles and showed no significant reduction in performance.The foam density, mechanical and thermal properties, and flame resistance were all systematically investigated with respect to the relative fiber loading as well as surfactant and clay addition. A low thermal conductivity (43.7 ± 0.7 mW/(m·K)) and high flame resistance (limiting oxygen index of ∼43%) were demonstrated for hybrid foams of apparent density of 136 ± 1 kg/m3 that also displayed good compressive strength (Young’s modulus of 0.805 ± 0.158 MPa and compressive stress of 0.126 ± 0.008 MPa at 25% strain). This technology is readily scalable, to produce safe-to-use, recyclable pulp/clay composite foams for building insulation.

A-22 Matheus Barros, PhD Student - Assessing the Combination Potential of Starch Nanoparticles and Chitin Nanocrystals in Optimizing Pickering Emulsion Stability

Pickering emulsions, unlike conventional emulsions stabilized by surfactants, employ colloidal particles as stabilizers, eliminating the need for these agents that can be harmful to health and the environment therefore hindering some types of applications. Nano-starch, obtained through milling, represents a sustainable approach compared to traditional acid hydrolysis and can also interestingly alter starch properties, such as lowering its gelatinization temperature. To be an effective stabilizer for Pickering emulsions, starch nanoparticles (SNP) typically go through chemical modification using 2-octen-1-ylsuccinic anhydride (OSA). An alternative to this modification would be to combine SNP with other biopolymers, such as chitin, a biopolymer found in fungi and arthropod’s exoskeletons, more specifically chitin nanocrystals (ChNC), which have good stabilization power due its high positive charge and other interesting properties, like antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility. Different ratios of SNP and ChNC, as well as SNP and ChNC alone as controls, were investigated in this study as stabilizers for Pickering emulsions (10:1, 5:1, and 1:1). At first, the combination of SNP and ChNC disrupted the interface, which made stability challenging. However, when both polymers were utilized at the same concentration (1:1), stability outperformed that of starch alone. This result was further improved by applying a heat treatment to the emulsions' aqueous phase prior to preparation. The 1:1 pre gel emulsion, for example, showed very satisfying droplet size even after creaming (3.29 µm), and its very slow creaming velocity was competitive with the ChNC-only emulsion. It also resisted creaming for over a month. With promising applications in food, the combination of pre-gelatinized SNP and ChNC showed to be a very effective substitute for Pickering emulsion stabilization.

A-23 Anderson Veiga, PhD Student - X-ray Tomography for Visualizing the Internal Structure of Paper Products Using Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Labeling

The challenge in advancing the production of high-quality and specialty paper products based on high-volume mechanical pulp lies in elucidating the internal distribution and interaction of fibers within composites made from different kinds of pulp fibers. X-ray micro-computed tomography has proven to be a powerful tool for visualizing the 3D internal structure of materials, and its potential for elucidating paper structures at the fiber level has already been demonstrated. However, visualizing reinforcing pulp fibers or different phases of pulp fiber composites remains a challenge due to the similar chemical composition of fibers and the surrounding matrix.
In this work, we present a labeling protocol employing iron oxide nanoparticles to enhance the X-ray attenuation of added fibers or pulp phases, resulting in higher contrast fibers in X-ray tomographs. Through in-situ synthesis and deposition, iron oxide nanoparticles were deposited on the external and lumen surfaces of long fraction pulp fibers to prepare iron-labeled fibers. These iron-labeled fibers were then incorporated into paper handsheets at various loadings and examined via X-ray tomography. An in-house algorithm for the segmentation of iron-labeled and unlabeled fibers was developed based on tomograph histograms. To optimize the segmentation process, we embedded the handsheets in oil to eliminate the signals associated with air (background signal). We successfully visualized the spatially and randomly oriented fibers within the handsheet plane at diverse loadings of iron-labeled fibers. Furthermore, we investigated the impact on mechanical properties of randomly oriented iron-labeled fibers in handsheets in comparison to unlabeled fibers to delineate the limitations of labeling fibers for X-ray tomography.

B-01 Tristan Liu, PhD Student - Citric Acid-Grafted Cellulose Nanocrystals with High Yield and Tailored Performance

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are promising and sustainable nanomaterials with a wide range of potential applications. CNCs can be made by citric acid hydrolysis, which also grafts anionic carboxyl groups to the surface through esterification, imparting colloidal stability in water. This work aims to understand the correlations between the hydrolysis conditions and the properties of carboxylated CNCs (with citric acid groups) to enable tuning and optimization of their performance. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was used as the raw starting material and pre-treated with hydrochloric acid to minimize the discrepancies in the degree of polymerization among different batches of MCC, ensuring the reproducibility of the experimental results. Hydrolysis conditions such as temperature, citric acid concentration (<80 wt.%), hydrochloric acid concentration (the catalyst), and reaction time were varied. Design of experiment (DOE) was applied to generate statistical models from the experimental results of the hydrolyses. Rod-like carboxylated CNCs with a high degree of crystallinity and thermal stability were produced, and their size, carboxylate content, and zeta potential were measured. This work provides insight into how hydrolysis conditions affect carboxylated CNCs and allows for tailoring their performance, such as colloidal stability, liquid crystalline behaviour, and crosslinking potential, for different applications. 

B-02 Akash Madhav Gondaliya, PhD Student - Magnetic Wood as a Substitute to Metals for EMI Shielding

With the surge in the usage of smart electronic devices and the advancement of wireless communication, electromagnetic wave (EMW) pollution is getting ubiquitous and serious. There is a need to develop biobased low-cost Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) shielding material as an alternative to metal-based and petroleum-based conductive polymers. In recent times, there has been substantial research pivoting toward using wood-based EMI shielding material due to their advantages of low-cost, lightweight, and naturally occurring porous and hierarchical structure. Nevertheless, challenges related to wood's limited electrical conductivity and insufficient interfacial compatibility are primary factors contributing to poorer performance in EMI shielding applications. Moreover, other factors like wood’s susceptibility to microorganism attack and fire further restrict their practical utility. Herein, a sustainable wood-based porous magnetic and conductive material (Magwood) was synthesized for EMI shielding using a facile impregnation and carbonization process. The Process involved impregnating natural wood with a ferrous salt solution using vacuum impregnation followed by pyrolysis at a temperature above 600 C to synthesize Magwood. The proposed technique successfully produced in situ ferrous nanoparticles, making the wood magnetic. The hysteresis magnetization was measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and XRD was used to characterize the inorganic phase.Moreover, the porosity and conductivity of the Magwood increased compared to that of natural wood due to carbonization, which improved the EMI shielding effect. The effectiveness of EMI shielding was recorded using a Vector network analyzer using the waveguide range of 8.2–12.4 GHz. The two-step method of impregnation and carbonization offers an alternative approach to creating electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials based on wood, which can be used in packaging, electronic devices, and construction projects.

B-03 Majed Amini, PhD Student - Flexible 3D-Printed Cellulosic Constructs for EMI Shielding and Piezoresistive Sensing

The rapidly expanding domain of materials science, coupled with the pursuit of sustainability, has experienced a remarkable breakthrough in leveraging cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), a widely available nanomaterial sourced from nature, for fabricating intricate 3D shapes via diverse 3D printing techniques. This innovative approach, especially promising for electronics applications, confronts significant obstacles, notably the intrinsic low electrical conductivity and limited mechanical flexibility of conventional CNF-based materials. Our research addresses these challenges by integrating ion-seeded CNF-based 3D printed frameworks with a conductive polymer via a feasible process known as "cold chemical vapor polymerization" (CCVP). The procedure initiates with the precision direct ink writing (DIW) of a specially formulated 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxy-oxidized (TEMPO-oxidized) CNF hydrogel, which then undergoes saturation with Fe3+ ions and freeze-drying to produce ion-embedded CNF frameworks. Subsequently, interconnected conductive pathways of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) are generated within these structures using CCVP. This methodology allows for precise customization of electrical conductivity, resulting in the production of highly conductive (546 S/m) and mechanically flexible (70% compressible) patterned constructs. This advancement is highlighted by the development of grid-based structures designed for absorption-dominant electromagnetic interference (EMI) shields. These innovative shields demonstrate an absorbance (A) of 0.71 and a specific EMI shielding effectiveness (SSE/t) of 3406.45 dB cm‚àí2 g‚àí1. This achievement directly tackles a significant issue inherent in synthetic EMI shields: their predominantly reflective nature. Furthermore, these constructs serve as sensitive piezoresistive sensors, showcasing the versatility of this sustainable method for the development of advanced wearable electronics.

B-04 Julia Azzi, Master's Student - Accelerating Lignin-Based Energy Storage Materials Through Structure-Property-Performance Relationships

Kraft lignin is major by-product of the pulp and paper industry typically burned as low-value fuel. Yet, lignin has a high carbon yield and aromatic structure with amenable functional groups offering many pathways for high-value carbon with applications in energy storage devices. Despite its unique suitability as a feedstock for carbon materials, its complex and highly variable structure pose serious challenges to reliable processing. In order to gain control over the processing of such variable feedstocks, reliable correlations must be developed. Termed - structure-property-performance relationships - these relationships are best identified by considering both relative impact of variables and interrelationships between variables. Multivariate data analysis pattern recognition tools can facilitate their determination, thereby facilitating predictive power towards carbon materials from complex and variable sources such as lignin. 

B-05 Kalen Dofher, PhD Student - An Automated High-Throughput Lighting-System for Screening Photosynthetic Microorganisms in Plate-Based Formats

Photosynthetic cyanobacteria are primary producers in diverse ecosystems and are critical in global carbon cycling. As a results of their innate capacity to fix and convert carbon dioxide (CO2), there is an significant interest in the application of cyanobacteria in industrial carbon fixation and sustainable manufacturing. However, limitation to the throughput of most existing cyanobacterial cultivation systems hinder our capacity to identify strains, mutants and cultivation conditions optimized for specific metabolic processes of interest. Although several strategies have been used to increase the throughput of cyanobacterial cultivation, including selection- and droplet-based screening, and microplate and micro-photobioreactor-based screening, these strategies are either limited in sensitivity and assay amenability, or limited in scale, respectively. A major hurdle in high-throughput microplate-based cyanobacterial cultivation is the requirement of consistent lighting conditions across and between microplates, which has resulted primarily in the construction of sophisticated stand-alone devices for plate-based microalgal cultivation. We have designed and developed a lighting system for microplate-based cyanobacterial cultivation that can be integrated into existing high-throughput automation infrastructure. This system was validated through cultivation experiments using single-cell Synechococcus elongatus UTEX2973, as well filamentous Sodalinema yuhuli AB48. We demonstrated that this system enabled the high-throughput screening of cultivation conditions and medium compositions within standard laboratory automation infrastructure, demonstrating the applicability of this system to various screening paradigms with the potential to advance cyanobacterial research and industrial applications, as well as the study of optogenetics and leveraging of light-driven genetic circuits.

B-06 Ariane Fernandes, PhD Student - Tailoring Cellulose Nanocrystal and Xyloglucan Interactions to Produce Biodegradable Microbeads

Microbeads ranging in diameter from 0.1 µm to 5 mm are extensively applied in personal care and cosmetics products (PCCPs) as exfoliants, rheological modifiers, stabilizers, and pigments. The use of non-biodegradable microbeads in PCCPs has caused significant environmental pollution in aquatic ecosystems. Plant-based materials offer an alternative that avoids ecological challenges caused by conventional microbeads. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have garnered significant attention due to their unique mechanical properties, biodegradability, and renewable nature. A second biopolymer – xyloglucan (XG) – that irreversibly binds to cellulose and acts as a crosslinker between nanoparticles, can be used to design structured CNC-based materials, such as microbeads. We hypothesize that changing the ratio of CNCs to XG in our formulation will tailor the size, morphology, surface roughness, and porosity of the microbeads produced by spray drying. To better understand the interactions between XG and CNCs, binding isotherms were first obtained to determine the maximum binding capacity of XG to CNC surfaces. The rheological profiles of the CNC-XG suspensions at different XG:CNC ratios were also investigated to ensure the suspension viscosity would be suitable for spray drying. Spray drying was employed to prepare the microbeads under previously optimized conditions and the dry microbeads were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen sorption isotherm (BET analysis), and atomic force microscopy. It was determined that the addition of XG enabled the production of microbeads with tunable size and roughness while keeping their spherical shape. The XG:CNC ratio was also found to be crucial in tailoring the final properties (and ensuring non-dispersibility of individual nanoparticles) in the dried microbeads. Ultimately, this study highlights the importance of understanding the interactions between XG and CNCs such that they may be exploited in the design of plant-based biomimetic materials for specific applications across industrial fields.

B-07 Seyyed Alireza Hashemi, PhD Student - Anti-Reflection Interfacially Complexed Graphene-Cellulose Aerogels

The inherent reflective nature of metallic or superconductive electromagnetic (EM) shields, compounded by their secondary reflections, poses significant challenges for sensitive electronics. Despite strides in developing advanced shielding systems, the persisting issue of metallic shields' reflection-dominated nature has remained unresolved. This study tackles this challenge by ultralightweight interfacially complexed filamentous graphene-cellulose aerogels with abundant multi-scale porosities. These aerogels were crafted from interfacially complexed filamentous liquid constructs, formed through the electrostatic interaction of nanoparticles and ligands at the interface of two immiscible liquids. By integrating cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and graphene oxide (GO) into the porous aerogel frameworks and subjecting them to thermal annealing at 800 °C under Ar, a formidable lossy medium for EM waves is created. The shield capitalizes on its plentiful multi-scale porosities, facilitating internal scattering. This multiple scattering, coupled with conduction and dielectric losses, efficiently dissipates EM waves with minimized surface reflections. Upon pairing with reflective metallic substrates made of copper, aluminum, zinc, and titanium, absorption dominant shielding systems with absorbance (A) and shielding effectiveness (SET) of 0.70-0.81 and 53-89 dB can be achieved, respectively. This innovative solution effectively addresses the longstanding challenge in shielding science by adeptly blocking the secondary EM pollution of metallic substrates through the art of interfacial complexation.

B-08 Kevin Oesef, PhD Student - Manufacturing and Characterisation of Hydrophobised Cellulose Nanofibril-Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Composites

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) are promising reinforcements for polymer-matrix composites, due to their high specific mechanical properties compared to glass fibres. Substituting glass fibres with CNFs in automotive components reduces vehicle weight and helps improve energy efficiency even as powertrain and aerodynamic efficiency improvements taper off. However, the hydrophilicity of CNF reinforcements results in aggregation, voids, and weak fiber-matrix interface; while the size polydispersity of our mechanically-fibrillated CNFs causes significant manufacturing issues. Tannic acid-hexylamine hydrophobised CNF-reinforced epoxy matrix composites were fabricated using a solvent-casting process. Hydrophobisation improved the interfacial shear strength, as epoxy debris adhered on to hydrophobised CNFs and not on unmodified CNFs. Composites with greater than 1 % w/w CNF are very challenging to produce as our CNFs gel above 1 % w/w, making CNF-epoxy dispersion very difficult and trapping large amounts of air in the finished composite. To explore other manufacturing methods, we mechanically bridged flax fabric with hydrophobised CNFs by immersion and oven drying. CNF bridges between individual flax fibres are visible, and the bridging behaviour was maintained even after hydrophobisation, even when hydrophobisation was demonstrated to reduce inter-fibre interactions in dried CNF films. These CNF-reinforced flax mats can be vacuum-infused with epoxy to create multi-scale flax-CNF-reinforced composite panels, which is a promising strategy to achieve high-performance, low-cost composites. 

B-09 Faye Hajiali, Postdoc - Advancing Adsorbent Discovery for Carbon Capture Through Machine Learning

Carbon capture and storage is a highly promising alternative to provide a significant reduction in the emission of greenhouse gas CO2. Traditional methods for CO2 capture, such as amine scrubbing, have limitations, including high energy requirements, corrosiveness, and low gas adsorption capacity. Recently, solid adsorbents have garnered attention due to their customizable structure, gas adsorption selectivity, and capacity. However, their effectiveness and stability in capturing CO2 can be enhanced. Traditional methods of adsorbent materials discovery rely on an iterative cycle of design and experimentation, which is costly and often takes months or even years to identify the desired optimized material. Recent ground-breaking advancements in data-driven machine learning (ML), present a unique opportunity to significantly compress the timeline for conceiving, designing, and optimizing new materials. This study proposes a novel approach using ML to expedite the discovery of optimized adsorbents for CO2 capture. By investigating the properties of CO2 adsorbents and employing ML techniques, the aim is to develop more efficient CO2 capture materials. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize material discovery, with applications in CO2 capture and clean fuel production, addressing critical environmental challenges. 

B-10 Bidhan Bhuson Roy, PhD Student - Dynamic Assessment of Wood Demand in a Forest-Based Bioeconomy: Integrating Decarbonization Strategies with Service Level Scenarios

The growing global awareness of environmental issues and a heightened focus on climate change and resource efficiency have propelled the bioeconomy concept into the forefront of policymaking discussions. The bioeconomy represents a significant stride toward reducing dependence on fossil fuels and instead relies on renewable biological resources for essential energy, materials, and chemicals. This paradigm shift involves harnessing the potential of forestry, agriculture, aquatic resources, and waste to meet societal needs.
Wood, a fundamentally renewable resource, has emerged as a compelling alternative due to recent technological innovations, presenting itself as a viable material choice across various industries. However, a critical modelling gap exists in accurately estimating the demand for wood, particularly when considering decarbonization strategies in carbon-intensive sectors such as construction, power, and transportation.
This research aims to assess wood consumption specifically in highly carbon-intensive sectors, where advocating for wood-based alternatives could play a pivotal role in combatting climate change compared to traditional carbon-positive materials. The research methodology uses Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) and historical assumptions to construct socioeconomic models, considering sectoral service demand within society.
Furthermore, the research delves into estimating wood demand within these sectors, considering different scenarios at the service level (e.g., Low Energy Demand scenarios) and product level (e.g., lifetime extension scenarios). The analysis extends to exploring various strategy combinations for effectively integrating wood economically. Ultimately, the results are anticipated to provide a foundational step toward evaluating the potential of wood products in the ambitious task of decarbonizing crucial economic sectors. This research addresses the urgent need for sustainable alternatives and contributes valuable insights to the ongoing global efforts to achieve a more environmentally friendly and resilient future.

B-11 Tao Zou, Postdoc - Lignin Effect on the Foaming and Properties of Flexible Polyurethane Foams

Flexible polyurethane (PU) foams synthesized from polyols, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), and water via one-pot reaction are dominating the mattress industry. However, in response to the increasing demand for sustainable mattresses, polyols synthesized from the non-renewable crude oils should be replaced by the abundant renewable materials. In this regard, we partially replaced polyols with technical lignins – a waste biomass typically burnt for energy purposes – for making flexible PU foams with enhanced properties. We systematically studied the effect of lignin type and content (up to a 30 wt% replacement of polyol) on the foaming and foam properties, using two types of softwood kraft lignin (SKL) and one type of hardwood organosolv lignin (HOL). We found that replacing polyols with lignin inhibited the foaming reaction, which however could be mitigated by tuning the catalyst amount. We observed that with increasing lignin content the resulting foams became stiffer, exhibiting higher support factors. However, they also became more brittle and less resilient to heat and compression treatments. In a comparison between SKL and HOL, SKL produced stiffer foams with a similar level of resilience. Moreover, it needs to be emphasized that slight replacement of polyol with one type of SKL not only improved the mechanical properties but also enhanced the thermal degradation behavior of the foams. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into how the type and quantity of lignin impact flexible PU foams, potentially advancing lignin valorization for widespread use in flexible PU foams.

B-12 Maria Andrea Ortiz Medrano, PhD Student - Chitin and Inorganic Oxides Composites Towards Battery Applications

Chitin and black titania have recently captivated scientists' attention in many fields due to their tantalizing array of properties. Chitin – the world's second most abundant biopolymer –presents a variety of functional groups, notably hydroxyl and n-acetyl groups, which yield a net cationic surface charge. This unique electronic structure makes chitin composites ideal for battery applications, where they can act as separators in lithium-sulphur batteries. The abundance of functional groups makes them effective polysulfide-trapping agents. However, there remains significant room for experimentation and optimization of partner materials for chitin in this context. Black titania stands out as a promising partner for chitin due to its own fascinating properties, which stem from a significant level of surface defects. These defects yield a heavily disordered local structure with multiple local charges that elicit a high degree of chemical activity and electronic transport. Notably, black titania exhibits favourable interactions with other biopolymers – such as cellulose nanocrystals – acting synergically to enhance and mimic the template's properties. Moreover, due to their structural and electronic structures, black titania composites have been used in lithium-ion batteries. With this underlying motivation, we report here the fabrication of chitin and black titania films aimed at battery applications. Our efforts focus on the structural and electronic characterization of the resulting composite materials. We harness x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy to provide a first look at these materials' structure.

B-13 Xun Niu, PhD Student - Structured Emulgels by Interfacial Assembly of Terpenes and Nanochitin

Interfacial assemblies formed by colloidal complexation are effective in multiphase stabilization, as shown in structured liquids and Pickering emulgels. Herein, we demonstrate a type of biobased colloidal system that spontaneously stabilizes an organic phase in a continuous hydrogel phase. Specifically, a triterpene extracted from bark (betulin, BE) is added to an organic phase containing a coniferous resin (rosin acid, a diterpene). BE is shown to take part in strong noncovalent interactions with the nanochitin dispersed in the aqueous (hydrogel) phase, leading to a complex of high interfacial activity. The viscoelastic response of the system is rationalized by the presence of a superstable structured dual network. When used as a templating material, the emulgel develops into structured liquids and cryogels. The herein introduced all-biobased type of nanoparticle surfactant system forms a gel (“emulsion-filled” with “aggregated droplets”) that features the functional benefits of both betulin and nanochitin.

B-14 Nannaphat Sukkasam, Postdoc - Cyanobacterial Systems Engineering for Sustainable Applications Through a Chemical Genetics Approach via High-Throughput Screening of Bioactive Compounds

Sustainable bioproduction has emerged as a critical imperative in combating global environmental challenges. Cyanobacteria, with their capabilities as cellular factories, offer promising ways for sustainable production, particularly within the realm of synthetic biology. Here, we delve into the intricate cellular responses of Synechococcus elongatus UTEX2973 to a diverse array of compounds, employing a chemical genetics approach facilitated by a novel high-throughput lighting system and compound library available through the UBC Biofactorial automation core facility. Screening 4094 compounds led to the identification of 59 resulting in growth-promotion with 6 compounds exhibiting remarkable efficacy under high-throughput conditions. Notably, gossypetin emerged as a potent growth stimulant for Synechococcus, prompting further optimization of cultivation conditions. At a concentration of 20 uM, gossypetin enhanced biomass and protein production by 1.7 and 2.5 fold, respectively, while increasing the photopigment spectrum. However, this optimization led to a notable reduction in polysaccharide storage, underscoring the complexity of metabolic responses. Multi-omic analyses are planned to explain the underlying genetic alterations and metabolic shifts, thereby facilitating the development of computational models and the creation of an optimized Synechococcus strain (GoKart SynC) through innovative biosystems engineering. Beyond the GoKart SynC, our study aims to leverage the Biofactorial compound library in other cyanobacteria to identify the induction of additional high-value products, including lipids, biopolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), proteins, amino acids, and bioactive molecules with nutraceutical potential. Furthermore, by engineering potential strains and integrating them with GoKart SynC, we envision the synthesis of a diverse portfolio of high-value bioproducts, showcasing the versatility and potential of cyanobacteria in sustainable bioproduction systems. This research not only advances our understanding of cyanobacterial metabolism but also offers promising avenues for sustainable biomanufacturing, paving the way for a more environmentally conscious future.

B-15 Anne Lalande, PhD Student - Engineering a Microbial Biocatalyst for the Valorization of Acetovanillone

Lignin holds considerable potential as a renewable feedstock to replace fossil fuels in the industrial production of chemicals. Tandem processes coupling chemical and biological catalysis have recently emerged as a promising strategy to extract greater value from lignin. In these processes, chemo-catalytic fractionation of lignin yields heterogeneous mixtures of lignin-derived aromatic compounds (LDACs), which are then biocatalytically converted to target chemicals by engineered microbial cell factories. Biocatalysis harnesses the natural ability of some bacterial species to grow on various LDACs. As such, the engineering of microbial cell factories is contingent upon the discovery and characterization of microbial enzymes and pathways involved in LDAC catabolism. Here, we describe the engineering of Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 to utilize acetovanillone, a major product of several industrial lignin streams. We first produced two homologous pathways in RHA1: the Hpe pathway of Rhodococcus rhodochrous sp. GD02 and the Acv pathway of Sphingobium sp. SYK-6. Whole cell assays revealed that all pathways preferentially utilized acetovanillone but could also degrade 4-hydroxyacetophenone and acetosyringone. Using metabolomics analysis, we identified pathway intermediates and potential metabolic bottlenecks. Unexpectedly, we found that although wild type RHA1 cannot catabolize acetovanillone, the substrate was converted to an acetylcatechol. To investigate this substrate shunting, we performed whole cell assays with deletion mutants and spectrophotometric assays with crude lysates.    Overall, this work helps establish a foundation for engineering microbial cell factories to valorize acetovanillone. 

B-16 Elizabeth Dobrzanski, PhD Student - Versatile Method to Produce Wood Particle Foams for Building Insulation

Past work that has developed insulative foams from wood has required the fibres to be mechanically and/or chemically pulped, which requires a relatively large amount of time and energy. Our method of aqueous foam forming uses wood that has only been milled, which retains and takes advantage of the natural microstructure of the wood and circumvents the mechanical/chemical pulping step. The method is robust enough for waste wood of different tree species to be used, with a feasible bio-based content of up to 96%. This foam is competitive with conventional petrochemical-based insulative foams.

B-17 Jinsheng Gou, Visiting Professor - Preparation and Characterization of Sustainable Wastepaper Cushion Foam

Foam protective packaging is essential for ensuring the safe transportation and handling of goods by absorbing energy from external impacts such as shocks and vibrations. Currently, the packaging materials are dominated by petroleum-derived synthetic polymers mainly expanded polyethylene (EPE) and expanded polystyrene (EPS), which can lead to resource depletion, environmental pollution, and adverse impacts on human health. We prompt a biodegradable wastepaper foam as a viable alternative to traditional synthetic materials. A straightforward method for producing foam from waste corrugated paperboard was introduced. The process entails breaking down and pre-treating collected corrugated paperboard boxes, combining the fiber sludge with additives and depositing the mixture into a pressure-controllable mold. Following this, the mold is inserted into a microwave oven for several minutes for foaming. The obtained foam has lower density and better cushioning properties compared to pulp molded products used to replace the EPE and EPS in current industrial practice.

B-18 Marina Mehling, PhD Student - Western Hemlock Tree Bark for Clean Water

This project aims to safeguard our waters by developing a novel technology to capture selenium, a pollutant currently overlooked by conventional wastewater treatment facilities. 
I am sourcing tannins from two different biomass residuals to compare their properties and competency in pollutant removal. The first sample is Western Hemlock and Balsam bark-chipping residual sourced from a sawmill in Surrey, BC. The second biomass sample is Western Hemlock bark harvested by the Uchucklesaht Nation in southwest Vancouver Island, BC, as part of their fire and pest management efforts. The extraction process relies solely on hot water and pressure.
This research focuses on evaluating these tannins' capacity to capture selenium compounds (selenate and selenite) found in mining effluents, a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems globally. In Canada, selenium contamination from coal mining operations in the Elk River watershed in Eastern BC is linked to declining western cutthroat trout populations. Beyond healthy fish populations being vital to Indigenous food sovereignty, excess selenium in watersheds also negatively affects humans since it can cause nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, and in extreme cases, abnormalities of the heart, liver, and kidneys.
I will use quartz microgravimetry (QM) to understand how tannins interact with selenium compounds. This technique allows me to quantify the maximum mass of pollutants (ng) that can be adsorbed onto a tannin-coated surface. By comparing their adsorption capacities, I expect to be able to recommend which tannin source is best for addressing selenium contamination.

B-19 Yang Li, PhD Student - Geospatial Techniques Applied to Achieve Net Zero Energy Urban Building

In Canada, the emission of building sector accounts for 12% of national emission, and those emissions are polluted form heating needs (Government of Canada, 2018). Governments are taking action to improve the energy efficiency of buildings for supporting indigenous, rural, and remote indigenous communities, including developing a model building code towards ‚Äúnet zero energy ready buildings‚Äù and improve building energy efficiency and performance. To achieve the sustainable goals and assess the potential application of renewable energy, the energy mapping and planning play important roles for local and federal government decision-making. The value of mapping provides base information to investigate the feasibility of policies, targeting at energy saving and production. More specifically, the GIS based tools have been developed to assess the suitability of renewable energy used in buildings towards net zero. In this study, we target to estimate and map 2D/3D city-level energy consumption and GHGs emissions; explore the potential of achieving ‚Äúnet zero energy buildings‚Äù targets; and predict and optimize future urban building energy models (UBEM) considering different emissions reduction pathway (RCP). The GIS based framework of buildings implementing renewable energy can be used to predict or forecast building energy performance at various scale, such as district, city, province and country. 

B-20 Peijin Jiang, Undergrad Student - Revealing Material Requirements and Environmental Impact for Canadian Wind Energy Development Based on Material Flow Analysis

Driven by environmental goals, wind turbines are increasingly vital to future electrical infrastructure, with the key challenge being material supply sufficiency. There is a notable research gap in the Canadian context—existing studies primarily only analyze wind turbine blades and often overlook the recycling of materials. This project aims to fill this gap by creating an open-source model that offer a comprehensive evaluation of both material requirements and environmental impacts within the sector.
This study utilizes an inflow-driven analysis of historical construction data and a stock-flow analysis based on projections of future wind energy demand in Canada. It calculates the nine kinds of key material inputs required for wind turbine construction by considering the annual capacity inflow, the average capacity, component sizes and masses, and various technological development scenarios. The study also explores different material recycling scenarios to determine the annual needs for virgin material quality and assesses the overall environmental impacts based on the energy consumption and carbon emissions from the production of both virgin and recycled materials.
The findings reveal that offshore wind energy requires more metal, particularly steel. Both onshore and offshore material demands are projected to decrease around 2045 due to slower growth in energy demand and improved turbine capacity factors. Technological advancements are expected to reduce material requirements further. In terms of end-of-life practices, onshore turbines tend to be downcycled, whereas offshore turbines are more likely to be recycled in a closed-loop process, enhancing resource efficiency. Environmentally, emissions and energy use are expected to peak between 2020 and 2030, with technological improvements from 2040 to 2050 surpassing recycling benefits in reducing environmental impacts.
In conclusion, this open-source model bridges existing gaps and lays the groundwork for future wind energy studies, offering insights that could significantly impact policy-making and practical applications to enhance environmental sustainability.

B-21 Xuetong Shi, PhD Student - Solid Wood Modification Toward Anisotropic Elastic and Insulative Foam-Like Materials

The methods used to date to produce compressible wood foam by top-down approaches generally involve the removal of lignin and hemicelluloses. Herein, we introduce a route to convert solid wood into a super elastic and insulative foam-like material. The process uses sequential oxidation and reduction with partial removal of lignin but high hemicellulose retention (process yield of 72.8%), revealing fibril nanostructures from the wood’s cell walls. The elasticity of the material is shown to result from a lamellar structure, which provides reversible shape recovery along the transverse direction at compression strains of up to 60% with no significant axial deformation. The compressibility is readily modulated by the oxidation degree, which changes the crystallinity and mobility of the solid phase around the lumina. The performance of the highly resilient foam-like material is also ascribed to the amorphization of cellulosic fibrils, confirmed by experimental and computational (molecular dynamics) methods that highlight the role of secondary interactions. The foam-like wood is optionally hydrophobized by chemical vapor deposition of short-chained organosilanes, which also provides flame retardancy. Overall, we introduce a foam-like material derived from wood based on multifunctional nanostructures (anisotropically compressible, thermally insulative, hydrophobic, and flame retardant) that are relevant to cushioning, protection, and packaging.

B-22 Huaiyu Zhang, PhD Student - High-Internal-Phase Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Surface-Modified Xylan Nanoparticles

High internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPPE) are widely used in food, pharmaceutical, and tissue engineering due to their high viscoelasticity and gel-like structure. Xylan nanoparticles, as hemicellulose-based nanoparticles, have attracted much attention due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility compared to traditional emulsifiers. However, preparing HIPPE stabilized by xylan nanoparticles is still challenging due to its poor emulsifying properties. Here, polyethylenimine-modified xylan nanoparticles (PEIXNPs) were fabricated for the preparation of high internal phase Pickering emulsions. The modification of polyethylenimine (PEI) was achieved by Schiff base reaction between PEI and aldehyde groups on the surface of periodate oxidized xylan particles to significantly increase the emulsification properties of PEIXNPs. High internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPPE) stabilized by PEIXNPs showed high stability and good self-supporting properties which demonstrated potential for 3D printing. These findings could provide new insights into the fabrication of HIPPEs stabilized by xylan nanoparticles which will facilitate the application of hemicellulose-based nanoparticles in emulsion formulation.

B-23 Sarah Lin, Undergrad Student - Exploration of the Cottonization of Canadian Grown Hemp Bast Fibers Using Steam Explosion

Industrial hemp stands out as a high-yielding and environmentally friendly fiber crop, offering a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative for textile fiber production when compared to cotton. However, traditional hemp fiber processing methods typically result in coarse and sturdy textiles, limiting their extensive use in the apparel industry. In this study, we developed a strategy for cottonizing hemp fibers to produce high-quality textile fibers. The initial step involved alkali degumming of raw hemp bast using steam explosion. Further going through bleaching and carding treatments, cottonized hemp fibers with high-strength can be obtained, which were capable of effortless conversion into yarns. The treatments by both steam explosion and traditional high-pressure cooking were also compared and the benefits of steam explosion on the fiber fibrillation were discussed. Our work provides a straightforward and highly efficient strategy to unlock the high-value potential of hemp fibers for textile application.

B-24 Megan Wolf, PhD Student - Characterization of a Cytochrome P450 That Catalyzes the O-Demethylation of Lignin-Derived Benzoates

Cytochromes P450 (P450s) are a superfamily of heme-containing enzymes that are well known for their broad range of mono-oxygenase activities. One such activity is O-demethylation, an essential and potentially rate-determining step of lignin valorization, the process of converting the abundant yet highly underutilized lignin into higher value compounds. Emerging lignin valorization strategies require the processing of complex mixtures of aromatics, which can be efficiently accomplished by microbial cell factories. These biocatalysts exploit the natural ability of bacteria to funnel diverse aromatics into central metabolism. Thus, the discovery and engineering of O-demethylases active on lignin-derived aromatic compounds is crucial for developing biocatalysts for lignin valorization. We recently identified CYP199A3, or PbdA, a P450 from Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 which catalyzes the O-demethylation of para-methoxylated benzoates and confers growth of RHA1 on these compounds. In this work, we detail the structure and activity of PbdA on several benzoate derivatives. The binding pocket is resolved in high-resolution structures of PbdA-substrate complexes, allowing for the identification of key determinants of substrate specificity. This is complemented by biochemical data, which reveal the relative affinity and specificity of the enzyme for several lignin-derived substrates. We further demonstrated that in addition to O-demethylation, PbdA catalyzes the hydroxylation and dehydrogenation of 4-ethylbenzoate even though RHA1 does not grow on this compound. The detailed characterization of an enzyme that transforms lignin-derived aromatic compounds facilitates the design of microbial cell factories for lignin valorization.

 

 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at contact.bpi@ubc.ca. Thank you.

 

 

bpi

Bioproducts Institute

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Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z4
E-mail contact.bpi@ubc.ca

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