COZYME Action Meets in Athens: Advancing Enzyme Design Through Pan-European Collaboration
On 24–25 April 2025, the city of Athens hosted the 5th Management Committee Meeting and 3rd Working Group Meeting of the COZYME (COmputationally assisted design of enZYMEs) Action, under the auspices of COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). The event was organized by the Industrial Biotechnology and Biocatalysis Group (IndBioCat) and brought together a dynamic network of researchers united by a common goal: to harness cutting-edge computational tools for accelerating enzyme engineering.
The two-day event attracted 66 participants from across Europe, featuring 21 invited talks covering a wide range of topics aligned with the Action’s three Working Groups and incorporating insights from ongoing Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs). Among the speakers were two members of the hosting IndBioCat group: Konstantinos Grigorakis, who presented results from his STSM in a talk entitled “Probing the pH-dependent activity of hemicellulase TtXyn30A”, and Stratos Nikolaivits, who contributed to Working Group 3 with a presentation on “Protein engineering of a fungal feruloyl esterase enhances both plastic and lignocellulose breakdown”. Their contributions highlighted the active role of IndBioCat in the COZYME network and the diversity of ongoing research in enzyme engineering.
In addition to the oral presentations, the meeting included a poster session showcasing 29 research posters and 2 software tool demonstrations, offering hands-on insights into the computational methods and experimental strategies being developed within the network. The poster session served as a vibrant forum for early-stage researchers and senior scientists alike to share progress, receive feedback, and explore collaborative opportunities.
A formal Management Committee Meeting also took place, focusing on strategic planning, evaluation of current activities, and the coordination of future initiatives, including upcoming STSMs and training schools.
Beyond the scientific agenda, participants had the opportunity to experience the cultural richness of Athens. An extracurricular visit to the Acropolis slope, guided by a professional tour guide, allowed 35 attendees to explore one of Europe’s most iconic archaeological landmarks—offering a moment of reflection and connection amidst the intense scientific discourse.
The COZYME Action continues to thrive as a vibrant and expanding research community, driving innovation at the intersection of computational science and enzyme catalysis. Events like this one in Athens are essential for nurturing interdisciplinary collaboration, mentoring the next generation of scientists, and advancing the frontiers of Green Biotechnology.
