The present invention relates to laccase variants and uses thereof as eco-friendly biocatalysts in various industrial processes. More in particular, the invention relates to a polypeptide with laccase activity comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the polypeptide comprises at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of Alanine, Proline, Aspartic acid, Isoleucine, Proline, Proline, Threonine and Proline at a position corresponding to of positions 253, 128, 384, 364, 292, 450, 33 and 322 in SEQ ID NO: 1 respectively.

The invention relates to methods of altering resistance to lodging in maize, transgenic plants with altered resistance to lodging and methods for making such plants. In particular, the invention comprises altering the expression or levels of at least one laccase gene and/or altering the expression or activity of miR528.

A hierarchical catalyst composition comprising a continuous or particulate macroporous scaffold in which is incorporated mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles, wherein an enzyme is embedded in mesopores of the mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles. Methods for synthesizing the hierarchical catalyst composition are also described. Also described are processes that use the recoverable hierarchical catalyst composition for depolymerizing lignin remediation of water contaminated with aromatic substances, polymerizing monomers by a free-radical mechanism, epoxidation of alkenes, halogenation of phenols, inhibiting growth and function of microorganisms in a solution, and carbon dioxide conversion to methanol. Further described are methods for increasing the space time yield and/or total turnover number of a liquid-phase chemical reaction that includes magnetic particles to facilitate the chemical reaction, the method comprising subjecting the chemical reaction to a plurality of magnetic fields of selected magnetic strength, relative position in the chemical reaction, and relative motion.

The invention relates to a plastic compound comprising at least one polyolefin and a biological entity that degrades said polyolefin. The invention further relates to a process for preparing a plastic article wherein at least one polyolefin and one biological entity that degrades said polyolefin are mixed at a temperature at which the polyolefin is in a partially or totally molten state.

The present invention provides a novel method for improving microbial laccase production, which relates to the field of microbial fermentation. The present invention is to add beta-carotene and other types of carotenoids, or microorganisms that produces carotenoids, or a mixture comprising carotenoids into a fermentation system during fermentation of Pleurotus ferulae and other higher fungi. The present invention can improve the laccase production 12 times more than before. With the advantage of a simple process and high yield, the present invention has a bright application prospect.

A cleaning agent comprising a supporting substrate with an oxidoreductase enzyme immobilized thereon wherein the oxidoreductase enzyme is selected from oxidoreductase enzymes having an enzyme classification number selected from the group consisting of E.C. 1.1-1.10 and E.C. 1.12-1.99.

A hierarchical catalyst composition comprising a continuous or particulate macroporous scaffold in which is incorporated mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles, wherein an enzyme is embedded in mesopores of the mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles. Methods for synthesizing the hierarchical catalyst composition are also described. Also described are processes that use the recoverable hierarchical catalyst composition for depolymerizing lignin remediation of water contaminated with aromatic substances, polymerizing monomers by a free-radical mechanism, epoxidation of alkenes, halogenation of phenols, inhibiting growth and function of microorganisms in a solution, and carbon dioxide conversion to methanol. Further described are methods for increasing the space time yield and/or total turnover number of a liquid-phase chemical reaction that includes magnetic particles to facilitate the chemical reaction, the method comprising subjecting the chemical reaction to a plurality of magnetic fields of selected magnetic strength, relative position in the chemical reaction, and relative motion.

There is provided a transgenic insect comprising a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a fungal laccase wherein the heterologous nucleic acid is integrated in the insect genome, wherein the heterologous nucleic acid is operably linked to a promoter, and expression of the laccase allows for production of an active fungal laccase in the insect. The insect or laccase preparations comprising meal or powder made from the insect are used to reduce or remove phenolic contaminants (such as BPA) or aromatic components (such as indigo dyes) from waste.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising a polymeric matrix or a gel containing functional enzymes capable of re-creating under culture conditions the cell microenvironment existing in vivo. The present invention also relates to devices for cell cultures comprising such compositions, in particular hydrogel and the use thereof to control the chemical microenvironment of a cell culture or mimic physiological or pathological conditions of the in vivo cells. The compositions and the devices described herein could be also used in vitro for evaluating the therapeutic effect of a compound on a determined cell line or on primary cells.

A lignocellulolytic multi-enzyme complex in the form of a cellulosome, which includes a lignin-modifying enzyme and a carbohydrate-active enzyme, is provided herewith, as well as bifunctional chimeric enzymes having lignin and cellulose/hemicellulose degrading capacity. Also provided are methods of degrading lignocellulolytic biomass, and compositions and systems for effecting the same.