Advancing Europe's Next Generations on the Path to Sustainability – Expanding the Universe of Enzymatic Halogenation Chemistry

forthcoming

The mission of the HALOVERSE double doctorates PhD programme is to train 13 PhD students in a synergistic multidisciplinary environment to lead Europe's next generations towards sustainability in halogenation, a highly polluting chemical process. Enzyme catalysis contributes to sustainability through efficient use of natural resources and energy, minimising environmental impact and supporting the European Green Deal, the MSCA Green Charter and the UN SDGs. HALOVERSE will develop powerful enzymatic systems for selective halogenation to revolutionise 21st century chemistry. It aims to overcome the limitations of enzymatic halogenation by discovering and engineering biocatalysts with broad catalytic scope, substrate diversity and robustness, and by developing new process strategies for the functionalisation of complex molecules. HALOVERSE will bridge academic proof-of-concept knowledge with industrial applications by integrating the predictive power of computational biology and novel continuous process strategies on three classes of halogenases to produce versatile pharmaceuticals, fine- and agrochemicals. The scientific approach of the double degree programme will provide in-depth training in complementary disciplines, combining advanced enzymology and computational biology with the engineering challenges posed by halogenases in industrial settings. Industrial partners will lead innovation, scale up commercially relevant processes focusing on continuous synthesis and contribute to the training programme, ensuring technology transfer and development strategies, both career and product oriented. HALOVERSE will ensure European leadership in industrial biotechnology, paving the way for bio-based materials and products with a low environmental footprint, preventing and mitigating pollution. 12 non-academic partners and 10 academic institutions provide a synergistic environment and offer 13 PhD students excellent employability profiles in the European biotechnology sector.