Representative research projects, ex. 4: Bilateral BMBF project VnmDiv (2018-2022)

The recently completed project VnmDiv (“Integrated genome and secretome studies to unlock the functional biodiversity of Vietnamese fungi for the conversion of renewable resources into organic platform chemicals”, FKZ 031B02627), which was funded under the BMBF initiative "Bioeconomy International", is an example of the long-standing collaboration (since 2005) of the Chair of Environmental Biotechnology with the Vietnamese Academy of Sciences (VAST) in Hanoi. The Vietnamese partners involved (Prof. Le Mai Hung and Dr. Do Hugh Nghi) had previously been at IHI Zittau several times as a DAAD visiting scientist and doctoral student, respectively, and had worked on specific issues of applied mycology. The resulting research project dealt with the isolation, identification and cultivation of fungal strains from Vietnamese rainforests (Fig. 6) with the aim of finding new biocatalysts (enzymes) for the digestion and utilization of renewable raw materials (e.g. rice straw). In the course of the project, which involved Prof. Liers and Dr. Kellner as well as a doctoral student from IHI (Enrico Büttner), a large number of new organisms were isolated, their genomes sequenced, promising candidates for enzyme production selected and their suitability for the disintegration of lignocelluloses (straw, wood) demonstrated. Beyond the actual scientific objective, the project is a prime example of the “closing of ranks” between traditional mycology (taxonomy), fungal ecology and biotechnology.