Rodriguez Bonnecarrere, Paula

Research interests

As a university professor and researcher affiliated with SNI and PEDECIBA, I have primarily focused on two lines of research: the prospecting of microorganisms from natural environments for their application in biocatalysis and biotransformations, and the valorization of agro-industrial residues.

Working area

My career as a researcher began during my undergraduate studies in Biology, where I specialized in Microbiology. Subsequently, I focused my work on the biotransformation of natural products, an area in which I completed a master’s degree in biotechnology. After finishing my master’s thesis, I developed the line of research in the study of endophytic microorganisms applied to biocatalysis, which led me to pursue a PhD in Chemistry.
Currently, my research primarily involves the exploration of microorganisms and their application in biocatalysis, as well as the valorization of agro-industrial waste. In the field of biocatalysis, I investigated the biocatalytic potential of microorganisms isolated from natural environments, emphasizing the development of enzymatic biocatalysts for industrial and therapeutic applications. In this context, I work on the biotransformation of cannabinoids using microorganisms isolated from Cannabis sativa inflorescences, aiming to develop biocatalysts that act on ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) to generate new therapeutic entities.
As part of my work at the Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Biotransformations (LBB), we have established a collection of microorganisms isolated from natural habitats, used in scientific collaborations to identify various enzymatic activities. Among the achievements associated with this collection, I co-supervised a master’s thesis in Biotechnology focused on the production of microbial fucosidases and mannosidases, key enzymes for the selective deglycosylation of glycoproteins and the analysis of the role of glycans in biological processes.
In terms of agro-industrial waste valorization, I have conducted research aimed at utilizing forestry and agro-industrial residues under the biorefinery concept. My studies in this area began with my master’s thesis and have expanded through co-supervision of postgraduate theses and participation in collaborative projects. This work includes the pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials to obtain sugars and their conversion into higher value-added compounds, such as xylitol, in collaboration with the Second-Generation Biofuels Research and Development Center (CideB) – Latitud.
Additionally, I participated as a scientific co-leader in the international project EraNet17/BRF-0005 GreenMol, focused on biocatalytic reactions on hemicellulose from forestry residues to generate alkyl glycosides with surfactant properties. I have also explored the valorization of industrial residues through the biological hydrolysis of chicken feathers, obtaining substrates useful for biogas production.
All these investigations are conducted at the LBB of the Facultad de Química at the Universidad de la República, where I collaborate with postgraduate students and researchers who actively participate in these studies.