Brainstorming on Phytases

​Agriculture relies on phosphorous (P) fertilizer, which generates algae blooms and significant GHG emissions. P is surprisingly abundant in most soil but trapped in phytate-mineral complexes. Phytase enzymes can release P from phytate and have been used for decades to enhance animal feed nutrition. Could they be engineered for other applications? 

​We're excited to welcome Dr. Benjamin Scott for a brainstorm on phytases. Ben is the Platform Lead for Engineering Biology at the Global Institute of Food Security (GIFS) and one of this year's Garden Grant cohort members! Prior to joining GIFS, Ben did his postdoc at NIST in their microbial foundry and then led business development at the Concordia University Genome Foundry.

​In this conversation, Ben and his team will lead a short discussion introducing the problem and opportunity, why are phytases overlooked, and the specific items they are looking for help with (ie protein design) before opening it up to the community to discuss.

​Ben's team also recently published a review article about phytases relevant to this project: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665928X24000163?fr=RR-2&rr=872570a1fdb48f96

Read more about the funded project here: https://experiment.com/projects/kqrapvywstbpjgqlkndv