Francisco Vilaplana

Francisco Vilaplana’s research centers on the biochemistry of complex carbohydrates, fundamental building blocks of life. These complex carbohydrates, or polysaccharides, are natural polymers composed of small sugar molecules. They play crucial roles in metabolic, structural, and regulatory processes in life sciences. Polysaccharides serve as vital macronutrients in our diets, supplying energy to our cells and acting as dietary fibers with significant health benefits. Additionally, polysaccharides like cellulose and hemicelluloses contribute to the structural stability of plant cell walls and are key components in wood.

The aim of his research is to unravel the molecular structure of complex plant carbohydrates and their supramolecular organization within cell walls. Utilizing this foundational knowledge, he seeks to develop biorefinery processes that transform these plant carbohydrates into functional bioproducts. This transformation is achieved through biocatalysis for material and nutritional purposes. His work impacts two main areas: (i) WOOD, focusing on the development of new materials from wood, and (ii) FOOD, aiming to convert food waste streams rich in polysaccharides into functional plant-based food ingredients that offer nutritional and health benefits.