Jane Wittrup Agger

Jane Wittrup Agger is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), where she conducts research in protein chemistry and enzyme technology, with a focus on lignin biotechnology and carbohydrate analysis. She is a key member of the DTU Carbohydrate Analysis Core and leads research in enzymatic deconstruction of lignocellulosic biomass.

Her research interests lie at the intersection of enzymology, biocatalysis, and sustainable biotechnology. She investigates the mechanisms and applications of enzymes such as glucuronoyl esterases, polyphenol oxidases, and unspecific peroxygenases, aiming to improve biomass conversion processes for sustainable production of bio-based materials and chemicals. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to responsible consumption and climate action.

The recent publications highlight a strong trend in enzyme discovery, functional characterization, and application in biomass processing. Her research spans from fundamental enzyme evolution to applied biocatalysis, with a consistent focus on lignin and polysaccharide modification. Key themes include enzyme synergy in lignocellulose degradation, computational and bioinformatics approaches to enzyme identification, and development of novel screening methods.

Jane Wittrup Agger actively supervises multiple PhD students and participates in several funded research projects, demonstrating a strong commitment to academic mentorship and collaborative science. She serves as main supervisor in projects related to CO₂ conversion, lignin oxidation, and glycosyltransferase modeling, indicating leadership in both experimental and computational enzymology.

She is affiliated with the Section for Protein Chemistry and Enzyme Technology, where her team develops advanced enzyme technologies for biorefining and green chemistry applications. The research group integrates biochemical, bioinformatic, and analytical methods to engineer and characterize enzymes for industrial biotechnology.