%0 Journal Article %T Lignin Biodegradation with Laccase-Mediator Systems %A Lew Paul Christopher %A Bin Yao %A Yun Ji %J Frontiers in Energy Research %D 2014 %I Frontiers Media %R 10.3389/fenrg.2014.00012 %X Lignin has a significant and largely unrealized potential as a source for the sustainable production of fuels and bulk high-value chemicals. It can replace fossil-based oil as a renewable feedstock that would bring about socio-economic and environmental benefits in our transition to a biobased economy. The efficient utilization of lignin however requires its depolymerization to low-molecular weight phenolics and aromatics that can then serve as the building blocks for chemical syntheses of high-value products. The ability of laccase to attack and degrade lignin in conjunction with laccase mediators is currently viewed as one of the potential ˇ°breakthroughˇ± applications for lignin valorization. Here, we review the recent progress in lignin biodegradation with laccase-mediator systems, and research needs that need to be addressed in this field. %K lignin %K biodegradation %K laccase %K mediator %K laccase-mediator systems %K lignin model compounds %U http://www.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fenrg.2014.00012/abstract