BBF – Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques

Key Figures

• 5 Researchers
• 7 Teacher-researchers
• 10 Technicians/Engineers
• 15-20 non permanents

The Joint Research Unit 1163 “Biodiversity and Biotechnology of Fungi (BBF)” of INRAE and Aix Marseille University is located in the Polytech Building on the Luminy Campus of the University. The Unit studies filamentous fungi as innovative means for biomass valorisation for the production of chemical precursors relevant to industrial processes, high value-added compounds and bioenergy. The Fungal Kingdom, with its extraordinary intra- and inter-species diversity, remains without doubt the least well known, both at a fundamental level and at a level of potential applications. Fungi are a major player in the decomposition of plant matter, and the breadth of enzymes they have developed over the course of their evolution reflects their ability to meet the diverse and complex matrix within both living and dead plant tissues. This diversity of fungal species and their associated enzymes represents an exceptional source of innovation in a number of domains, particularly in the field of renewable carbon for the bioeconomy. Research topics of BBF include fundamental research on mycological degradation of lignocelluloses and the evaluation and optimization of eco-friendly bioprocesses that use renewable carbon resources as substitute to fossil carbon. The expertise of BBF in fungal enzymatic degradation systems is internationally recognized.

Research

The research at BBF lab addresses three complementary and integrated themes: the adaptation of fungi to different lignocellulosic biomasses, the fungal enzymatic systems that degrade complex and recalcitrant polysaccharides, and how fungi utilize and modify aromatic compounds. Several complementary approaches are used: comparative genomics, post-genomics on controlled fermentations, enzyme structure/function, enzyme synergies and biophysics. The approaches allow regular discovery and characterization of new enzymes that are a source of nature inspired biocatalysts.

Teaching

The BBF lab plays an active role in the training of students both through research (Training from BTS, Polytech engineer school, Master, PhD students and post-docs) and teaching at Aix-Marseille University. The faculty and INRAE staff are involved in the teaching of higher education diplomas and degrees:

• Polytech engineers (Department of Biological Engineering)
• Research Master « Sciences et technologies de l’agriculture, de l’alimentation et de l’environnement », parcours « Biologie et Biotechnologies Environnementales » (BBE)
• Master degree in Nutrition and Food Security
• Professional degree in Microbiology in Agro-food chain
• Pharmacy faculty.