Directed evolution of enzymes for bioremediation: structure function studies of bimetalloenzymes.

我们将进化出降解澳大利亚农业中使用的有机磷农药（OP）的酶。虽然这些OP的目的是杀死昆虫，但它们与化学战剂密切相关，已知对人类有毒。细菌已经获得了许多降解某些OP的酶。一种这样的酶已被用于田间试验，证明其降解OP残留物的潜力。然而，许多农药不能快速去除，如果OP降解酶要成为有用的环境试剂，它们需要修饰-这可以通过定向进化来实现。

We will evolve enzymes that degrade organophosphate pesticides (OPs) that are used in Australian agriculture. Although these OPs were designed to kill insects they are closely related to chemical warfare agents and are known to be toxic to humans. Bacteria have acquired a number of enzymes that degrade some OPs. One such enzyme has been used in field trials demonstrating its potential to degrade OP residues. However, many pesticides are not removed rapidly and OP-degrading enzymes require modification(s) if they are to be useful environmental reagents - this can be achieved with directed evolution.