Steve R. Decker - Senior Scientist

phone: 303-384-7759
email: Steve_Decker@nrel.gov
At NREL since 1996

Steve Decker's main research focuses on the increasingly broad area of enzymatic depolymerization of biomass and emphasizes the dependency between pretreatment methods and enzymatic digestion of the resultant biomass fractions. He is specifically interested in evaluating the synergies between cellulases and hemicellulases/accessory enzymes as influenced by pretreatment conditions and severity. Pathways being explored include automation of colorimetric and fluorometric analogue assays, utilization of dye-linked polysaccharides, and product detection from enzymatic action on extracted and native lignocelluloses. Detection techniques include reducing sugar assays, spectrophotometric analysis, and enzyme-linked product detection. In addition, Dr. Decker is involved in new enzyme discovery and evaluation. This work centers on high-throughput screening of new enzymes and enzyme combination obtained by genome mining and applied to process-relevant substrates for biofuels production. He is also involved in heterologous expression of cellulases and enzyme engineering through rational design site-directed mutagenesis, as well as direct in situ enzyme visualization through tagging and ultrahigh-resolution imaging techniques. He is a member of the American Society of Microbiology and the American Chemical Society.

Education

Selected Publications

1. Jeoh, T., W. Michener, M.E. Himmel, S.R. Decker, and W.S. Adney (2008). “Implications of Cellobiohydrolase Glycosylation for Use in Biomass Conversion.” Biotechnol. for Biofuels  1:10.
2. Selig, M.J., E.P. Knoshaug, W.S. Adney, M.E. Himmel, and S.R. Decker (2008). “Synergistic Enhancement of Cellobiohydrolase Performance on Pretreated Corn Stover by Addition of Xylanase and Esterase Activities.” Bioresource Technol. 99:4997-5005.
3. Selig, M.J., S.R. Decker, E.P. Knoshaug, J.O. Baker, M.E. Himmel, and W.S. Adney (2008). “Heterologous Expression of Aspergillus niger β-D-Xylosidase (XlnD): Characterization on Lignocellulosic Substrates.” Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 146:57-68.
4. Knoshaug, E.P., M.J. Selig, J.O. Baker, S.R. Decker, M.E. Himmel, and W.S. Adney (2008). “Heterologous Expression of Two Ferulic Acid Esterases from Penicillium funiculosum.” Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 146:79-87.
5. Karagulyan, H.K., V.K. Gasparyan, and S.R. Decker (2008). “Immobilization of Fungal β-Glucosidase on Silica Gel and Kaolin Carriers.” Appl. Biochem. and Biotechnol. 146:39-47.
6. Selig, M.J., S. Viamajala, S.R. Decker, M.P. Tucker, M.E. Himmel, and T.B. Vinzant (2007). “Deposition of Lignin Droplets Produced During High Temperature Pretreatment of Maize Stems Retards Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Cellulose.” Biotechnol. Prog.  23:1333-1339.
7. Himmel M.E., J.O. Baker, W.S. Adney, S.R. Decker (2007). “Metabolism of Plant Polymers: Cellulose and Hemicellulose.” In: C.A. Reddy, T.J Beveridge, J.A. Breznak, S. Maloy, G.A., Marzluf, T.M. Schmidt, and L.R. Snyder (eds). Methods for General and Molecular Microbiology. ASM, Washington, D.C.
8. S.R. Decker, J. Sheehan, D.C. Dayton, J.J. Bozell, W.S. Adney, B. Hames, S.R. Thomas, R.L. Bain, S. Czernik, M. Zhang, and M.E. Himmel (2007). “Biomass Conversion.” In: J.A. Kent (ed) Kent and Riegel's Handbook of Industrial Chemistry and Biotechnology. Springer, New York, pp. 1499-1548.

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