At the end of July and beginning of August 2026, Tadej Menegatti from UL FKKT carried out a research exchange at the University of Graz within the FlowCat project. The research exchange focused on the downstream functionalization of 2-hydroxyoctanoic acid through enzymatic esterification and acylation. CALB and MsAcT were investigated under organic and aqueous conditions, with particular emphasis on enzyme activity and enantioselectivity. The work identified a promising MsAcT variant for the aqueous acylation reaction and provided valuable insights for further enzyme immobilization, reaction optimization, and future implementation in continuous-flow microreactor systems.
Beyond the experimental work, the stay strengthened the collaboration between UL FKKT and the University of Graz and contributed to FlowCat’s broader vision of advancing sustainable biocatalytic flow technologies. The exchange also offered the opportunity to explore Graz and its beautiful surrounding nature, making the stay rewarding both scientifically and personally.