New catalytic reactions by directed enzyme evolution
Our research group combines methods from organic chemistry, computational modelling and directed evolution to design, apply and understand new enzyme function.
Previous and Current Research
Due to their finely tunable macromolecular structure, enzymes provide significant advantages for catalyst development. Multiple catalyst-substrate interactions in enzyme active sites help to distinguish between competing transition states through conformational control of substrates and reactive intermediates. Accordingly, sought-after chemical transformations that have so far eluded catalysis might be accessible in engineered enzymes.
Future Projects and Aims
We aim to develop a new class of catalysts for synthetic organic chemistry that is protein-based, fully genetically encoded and catalyzes fundamental C-C, C-N and C-O bond formations that do not have a good catalytic solution. These new enzymes will be applied in organic synthesis, increase our understanding in enzymology and can expand the metabolism in living organisms.