Mechanisms of Enzymatic Degradation of Cellulose

We are applying surface-sensitive tools to study the enzymatic degradation of cellulose at the molecular level. In our approach, we use atomic force microscopy, surface plasmon resonance imaging and a quartz crystal microbalance to study the interaction of both catalytically-active and catalytically-inactive enzymes with cellulose fibrils. This is a multidisciplinary project that is funded by a NSERC Collaborative Research and Development grant in collaboration with Iogen Corporation, who is a world leader in the production of cellulosic ethanol. This work is done in collaboration with the groups of Jacek Lipkowski in the Department of Chemistry, Guelph, Anthony Clarke in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Guelph, and Iogen Corporation.