OXIPRO partner and Gecco Biotech Research Scientist, Ognjen Pećanac, recently captivated attendees at the National Biocatalysis Symposium of The Netherlands (BiocatNL) with his groundbreaking presentation, “Encapsulins: Tiny Cages, Big Possibilities.”
Speaking to an audience of 50, which included leading professors, industry representatives, and PhD students from across the Netherlands, Ogi shared his pioneering work on bacterial encapsulins—tiny protein cages capable of encapsulating enzymes to enhance their stability and reusability.
Ogi’s presentation offered a detailed look at the structural and biochemical characterization of two novel encapsulins and demonstrated the proteolytic resistance of encapsulated enzymes, showcasing how these robust nanocages could open new avenues for industrial applications.
Reflecting on the experience, Ogi commented, “Presenting at the national biocatalysis symposium of the Netherlands, was an incredible experience. I went in with the hope of sharing insights into innovative enzyme encapsulation method using robust protein nanocages. The response from the audience was genuinely rewarding, their questions and feedback not only underscored the interest in this work but also sparked new ideas for future research directions”.
“For GECCO, this presentation highlighted our commitment to advancing biocatalysis through innovative approaches, and I believe it added valuable knowledge to the symposium by showcasing practical applications of nanocages in enzyme stability and reusability. Ultimately, this experience strengthened connections within the biocatalysis community and opened up exciting collaboration opportunities to drive our research forward.”
BiocatNL, an annual event for academic and industrial leaders, featured discussions on enzyme discovery, engineering, and the development of cutting-edge industrial applications. Topics covered this year included enzyme discovery, enzyme engineering, and development of new (industrial) applications, thus placing OXIPRO’s research at the forefront of industry innovation.
Find out more about Gecco-biotech:
Explore more about collaborative advancements in biotechnology at NBV’s BiocatNL page.