Wood degrading fungi are the most important production organisms for laccase, a promising oxidative biocatalyst with numerous biotechnological applications in the forest products industry. Laccases are multi-copper containing oxidases (EC 1.10.3.2), which catalyse mono-electronic oxidation of phenols, polyphenols and anilines at the expense of molecular oxygen. Interest in these essentially ‘eco-friendly’ enzymes - they work with air and produce water as the only by-product - has grown significantly in recent years. The objective of this paper is to discuss briefly the emerging research field of the technological application of laccase for wood functionalization.

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