https://video.igem.org/videos/watch/e58b7da3-28a7-4d66-91eb-47f603705c22 Title: Chitinova: A Crab Shell Upcycling Platform for Joint Health Description: Osteoarthritis causes chronic pain and mobility loss for millions of people, while large quantities of shrimp and crab shells are discarded every year. Chitinova aims to address both challenges by developing a green bioconversion platform that transforms chitin-rich shell waste into N-acetylglucosamine (NAG), a bioactive precursor associated with cartilage matrix synthesis. We engineer Escherichia coli to produce and secrete a synergistic enzyme system combining lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) and chitinases. LPMOs disrupt the crystalline structure of chitin, creating accessible cleavage sites for downstream enzymatic hydrolysis, while chitinases further convert the resulting fragments into NAG. Through enzyme engineering and chassis optimization, we aim to improve catalytic efficiency, stability, and product yield. Chitinova seeks to provide a cleaner alternative to acid hydrolysis while promoting circular use of local seafood-shell waste and supporting future joint-health applications. Official Page Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:16:51 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://video.igem.org https://video.igem.org/client/assets/images/icons/icon-1500x1500.png https://video.igem.org/videos/watch/e58b7da3-28a7-4d66-91eb-47f603705c22 All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://video.igem.org/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.