Description du sujet de thèse

Formate dehydrogenases (FoDHs) are able to selectively reduce CO2 into formate. To do so, FoDHs require the loosely bound cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) in its active reduced form, 1,4-NADH. We already demonstrated the ability of FoDHs to work in a tandem reaction together with a phosphite dehydrogenase mutant from Pseudomonas stutzeri (PtDH), in charge of the clean in situ regeneration of 1,4-NADH. Recently, we used the FoDH from Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 (MeFoDH1), which demonstrates superior CO2 reducing properties and excellent stability under aerobic conditions [Green Chem. 22, 2020, 3727]. However, NAD is relatively expensive and unstable in the presence of CO2, making this bi-enzymatic setup unstable over time.
In this project, an elegant alternative to NAD would be to promote the direct electron transfer (DET) between MeFoDH1 and the surface of an electrode. The molecular functionalization of innovative nanocarbon electrodes will be performed in order to promote the electrical wiring via DET. In particular, original ionic liquids [J. Colloid. Interface Sci. 636, 2023, 668] and nanocarbon-based hybrid ionogels [Nanoscale 13, 2021, 2750] will be developed and employed as supports for MeFoDH1.

The work will be carried out in the brand new Balard building (CNRS site) in Montpellier, within the framework of the ANR project CO2FFEE. The trainee will be surrounded by a dynamic and multidisciplinary team of 5-10 people working on enzymatic catalysis, electrocatalysis, ionic liquids and materials science in the D3-MPH department (Porous & Hybrid Materials). The study will be conducted in close collaboration with the team of Dr Damien Voiry (IEMM, Montpellier, France) and Dr Keisei Sowa (Kyoto University, Japan).

The PhD student will be responsible for:
- Synthesis and characterization (FTIR, liquid NMR) of original ionic liquids
- Monitoring of catalytic reactions with free and immobilized enzymes using HPLC and/or UV-vis spectroscopy
- Nanoconfinement / immobilization of enzymes into nanocarbon-based supports (e.g., buckypapers)
- Assessment of bio-electrochemical properties using cyclic voltammetry
- Exploitation of the data, comparison with existing literature, drafting of monthly reports, presentation of results in weekly meetings, communication at national and international conferences, temporary stays abroad (possible)

Contexte de travail

Host laboratory: ICGM - Département MPH (D3), Campus CNRS, 1919, route de Mende, Montpellier (FRANCE)

The work will be carried out in the brand new Balard building (CNRS site) in Montpellier, within the framework of the ANR project CO2FFEE. The trainee will be surrounded by a dynamic and multidisciplinary team of 5-10 people working on enzymatic catalysis, electrocatalysis, ionic liquids and materials science in the D3-MPH department (Porous & Hybrid Materials). The study will be conducted in close collaboration with the team of Dr Damien Voiry (IEMM, Montpellier, France) and Dr Keisei Sowa (Kyoto University, Japan).

Fundings: ANR PRC (projet CO2FFEE) & Région Occitanie Circulades (projet BIOGAZOVERT)

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.

Contraintes et risques

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Informations complémentaires

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