Miroslav Ondrejovič: To advance science, it is also important to understand why the experiment failed

Not everyone knows in primary school where their steps will lead. Professor Ondrejovic, however, was clear. Already as a pupil he was inclined towards chemistry, biology and natural sciences. "I was fascinated by living nature and the possibilities of studying it and working with it at the same time. In my second year of primary school, I discovered biotechnology, which combines chemistry, biology and physics," he recalls.

Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary field, which makes it unique. "I didn't want to limit myself to just one field. The interdisciplinarity of biotechnology allowed me to find practical solutions to problems that transcend individual disciplines." This perspective became his guide, whether it was classic biotechnology, such as beer and cheese production, or modern genetic modification. Research has shown that biotechnology is not just the "science of the future" but also an everyday part of life. "People have no idea how many products around us are created by biotechnology," he explains.

 

You can see more of Professor Ondrejovic's work on Instagram.

 

 

Between tradition and progress

The division of biotechnology into ancient, classical and modern indicates the arc of its development. "Ancient biotechnology was in the hands of a small group of people, today we might describe them as shamans or sorcerers, who guarded the knowledge of the field and attributed it to unearthly powers. Over time, however, this knowledge came into the hands of ordinary people, giving rise to classical biotechnology, refined by the work of craftsmen to its present form. Modern biotechnology allows us to go even further and go beyond the limits of classical biotechnology by applying knowledge from molecular biology and chemistry," he explains.

This control over fundamental biological processes opens a new chapter in the usability of living organisms for technological purposes. "Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) remain a sensitive topic. The public often does not understand the differences between GMO-prepared mutations and targeted genetic modifications using recombinant DNA technologies. Each of these approaches has its risks and benefits, but it is very unfortunate to lump them together under one term," says the professor.

He cites Bt-corn as an example. "This crop contains a gene derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis that produces a toxin capable of killing harmful insects, but is completely harmless to humans. Thanks to this newly acquired property, the maize does not need to be sprayed with pesticides, which is both ecologically and economically advantageous."

 

 

From wood to green technologies

Professor Ondrejovic deals with lakazes in his experimental work. "Our research on laccases started in 2012," he says of the enzymes that can oxidise a wide range of substances. "Laccases are unique in their ability to work in the presence of oxygen, which makes them an easier tool to use in technological processes taking place in industry, but also in the environment, compared to other enzymes with similar specificity, which require other essential components for their catalysis and their sensitive dosage."

Their applications are multifaceted. "We were initially attracted by their ability to degrade lignin, which is part of woody biomass. By removing lignin from wood or other lignocellulosic materials, the remaining plant biomass can be used for fermentation production, for example, of biofuels," he explains.

However, the research is not only going in one direction. "We are currently studying laccases for applications in the degradation of xenobiotics in the environment, but they can also be used in the design of new biosensors and even fuel cells. In fuel cells, they are an alternative to classical chemical catalysts, which are much more expensive compared to our enzymes and need to be disposed of in specialised facilities after the end of their useful life."

 

The second life of waste

One of the biggest challenges today is the replacement of traditional plastics made from petroleum with more environmentally friendly alternatives. This is where polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), bioplastics that are biodegradable and biocompatible, come in. However, the production of bioplastics is not easy. "The problem is cost. Traditional polypropylene costs about 2 euros per kilogram, while 1 kilogram of PHA can be produced with current processes for up to 8-10 euros. One option for reducing production costs is to use the waste generated in different areas of industrial activity as raw material," he explains.

"One of our objectives is to verify the possibility of using waste raw materials generated in our area as a basic raw material for the production of this polymer, such as glycerol, whey or lignocellulose," he continues to explain.

Another option for reducing the cost of production is to replace the method currently used to isolate bioplastics from the production cells of micro-organisms. "Traditional methods use chemicals that are hazardous to the environment, but we are focusing on the biological route to obtain this polymer. Unlike conventional technology, which is based on extracting the polymer from the cells, we are trying to remove the cell biomass using enzymes, thereby purifying the bioplastic in a more environmentally and economically friendly way."

 

 

Antivirals for the future

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new research challenges. "Even before the pandemic, our department was working on the development of influenza virus enzyme inhibitors that could become new drugs effective against influenza. Based on this experience, we were able to very quickly prepare a research concept for the development of new proteinase inhibitors, which are a fundamental target for the development of new antivirals effective against SARS-CoV-2," he says of the project, which aims to develop cheaper and more efficient methods for testing inhibitors. The research focuses on inhibiting enzymes that play a key role in the life cycle of the virus. "Our aim in the project is to test the inhibitory efficacy of newly prepared compounds against SARS-CoV-2 virus enzymes. In the future, the active compounds could become new drugs effective for fighting this virus."

 

What lies ahead for biotechnology?

What does the future hold for biotechnology? "Biowaste represents a huge potential for exploitation through biotechnology. By developing the concept of biorefineries, it would be possible to use this secondary raw material for the production of bioplastics or selected enzymes directly in the plants in which it is generated, thus processing the waste on the one hand and turning it into a commercially viable product on the other," he concludes. The scientist believes that biotechnology will play an increasingly important role in solving global problems. "We are only at the beginning of the journey. I believe our results will contribute to a more sustainable and healthier future."

 

 

About the work of a scientist and educator

The professor devotes a large part of his work to his students, whom he considers to be a key part of the scientific process. "Students are excellent partners in research because they bring a fresh perspective and often take on topics that may not be part of current research trends," he says.

But getting students involved in research is more than just a matter of education. "At our department, we have built labs where students can conduct experiments for their undergraduate and graduate theses. It's important that they have the opportunity to learn on the job and get to know the subject of their research with their own hands."

As the scientist points out, a successful scientific career requires perseverance, systematic work and critical thinking, qualities he tries to instil in his students. "It's not about getting the experiment right the first time. The important thing is to understand why it didn't work, and to push the person further."

Professor Miroslav Ondrejovic is fully committed to many important topics in his work. What does it take to be a successful scientist? "Perseverance is key. Many experiments often don't come out right the first time, even if you consistently stick to an article from a reputable journal. It is important to systematically analyse the results and to have a critical attitude not only to the work of other authors, but also to your own work," he stresses. In addition, it is essential to be open to interdisciplinary collaboration. "To tackle the great challenges of our time, collaboration between experts from different scientific fields is necessary."