Tony Collins, principal researcher at the CBMA, Univ. of Minho. I am a protein scientist/enzymologist, principally focused on deciphering the molecular determinants of protein/enzyme structure, function & stability, while also developing proteins for application. I have expertise in all areas of the protein bioprospection process, from the screening of environmental samples for proteins of interest, to the production, purification, characterisation, engineering & application of proteins. I have a PhD in Biochemistry from the Univ. of Liege, Belgium, & completed a post-doctoral study at the same University before pursuing an EMBO long term fellowship at the ITQB, Univ. of Lisbon, Portugal. These studies were focused on investigating how cold-adapted enzymes from polar & marine environments have adapted to function efficiently in their low temperature environments. Using comparative biochemistry & biophysics approaches in conjunction with protein engineering & protein structure studies, we obtained a greater understanding of enzyme cold-adaptation strategies, thereby facilitating improved successes in the tailoring of enzymes to process conditions. Specifically, we showed the important role of enzyme flexibility & the balancing of activity, stability & flexibility in enzymes adapted to different thermal environments. In addition, during these studies, we identified a novel xylanase with novel characteristics & functions, thereby permitting a new understanding of these glycoside hydrolases & a reappraisal of their diversity & classification. Importantly also, these fundamental studies were successfully translated into 5 patents & a worldwide marketed product: a cold-adapted enzyme for use in the baking industry. At the CBMA, I am involved in research, teaching, training & management activities. I initially worked with protein-based-polymers, focused on the production, purification & characterisation of these, & enabled for the development & optimisation of pilot & industrial scale production & purification processes with 150-fold higher protein yields than previously reported & a simplified purification process. More recently, my expertise in protein science has been harnessed for studies with a yeast chitinase, which has been successfully heterologously produced in a eukayotic host, purified, characterised, & shown to have potential in vaccine applications against yeast infections, with patent submission pending. Presently, I am leading research on the development of a biorefinery system for the enzyme-based transformation of macroalgae to novel value-added bioactive products, & am prospecting the marine environment for novel enzymes with potential for use in this. I am also developing novel, low cost, high-throughput site-directed mutagenesis approaches to enhance the protein engineering toolbox & enable a more streamlined tailoring of enzymes. Outputs: 63 publications with currently 8090 citations. Principal inventor of 5 international patents & 1 internationally commercialised biotechnological product. Funding received for 13 research projects, 4 as the principal investigator, as well as public & private funding for participation as research scientist in 2 scientific expeditions to Antarctica. Reviewer for numerous international peer reviewed journals & project reviewer & coordinator for both national & international funding agencies. 62 poster presentations & 33 oral presentations, including invited & keynote presentations, both nationally & internationally. Author & contributor to numerous local & national newspapers & radio opinion pieces, interviews and exhibitions. Supervised 37 post-doc, PhD & BSc projects. Jury member for 33 PhD, MSc & BSc projects nationally & internationally. Coordinator & lecturer in the MSc. in Molecular Genetics & MSc. in Applied Biochemistry. 2 times member of the Scientific Council, & member of the coordinating committee for researcher evaluation at the School of Sciences, Univ. of Minho.