New biocatalysts for selective chemical oxidations under extreme conditions

该项目将确定和设计新的酶生物催化剂，在极端条件下发挥作用，如高温和高浓度的过氧化物。这些酶将来源于位于极端生物环境中的微生物，例如温泉（所谓的极端微生物）。该项目的预期成果是鉴定出能够催化复杂有机分子（如类固醇）的选择性氧化反应的强酶。该项目中开发的新生物催化剂将在开发新途径以获得精细化学合成和药物开发中有价值的定制分子方面具有显着的益处。

This project will identify and design new enzyme biocatalysts which function under extreme conditions such as elevated temperature and high concentrations of peroxides. These enzymes will be sourced from microorganisms which are located in extreme biological environments e.g. hot springs (the so-called extremophiles). The expected outcome of this project are the identification of robust enzymes which can catalyse selective oxidation reactions in complex organic molecules, such as steroids. The new biocatalysts developed in this project will have significant benefit in the development of new routes to access bespoke molecules of value in fine chemical synthesis and drug development.