Researchers at Kobe University have developed a novel test substrate that allows the first-ever measurement of the speed and mechanism of a fungal enzyme that breaks down wood, paving the way for improved biofuel and biochemical production. In an advance for biofuel and biochemical research, scientists at Kobe University have successfully measured the speed and characterized the mechanism of a fungal enzyme crucial for breaking down wood. This achievement, made possible by the development of a new test substrate, opens doors for more efficient conversion of wood into valuable materials like bioplastics, pharmaceuticals, and renewable fuels. …Using their newly developed substrate, the research team was able to observe the isolated enzyme’s action in a near-natural setting for the first time. …This research, published in the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, represents a significant step towards the industrial application of wood-decomposing enzymes.