Designing and evolving ultra-stable enzymes for improved nutrition and reduced environmental damage

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Enzymes are macromolecular proteins that serve as biological catalysts of chemical reaction and are critical in maintaining life. Humans have acknowledged and exploited the utility of enzymes for food and agriculture, giving rise to the biotechnology sector of today. The current industrial enzyme market is valued at over $5 billion, and reflects the desirability of enzymes as biocatalysts. Enzymes are highly specific in the reactions they catalyse, highly efficient, biodegradable, and found in abundance in nature. Despite such potential, many enzymes are unfit in their naturally occurring state for industrial applications due to their inherent instability, which limits their ability to withstand industrial processes. Over the years, many different approaches have been tested to stabilise enzymes to better exploit their catalytic potential with varying success, but all approaches have not been without pitfalls. One such approach has been SpyRing cyclisation, developed by the Howarth laboratory. Working on its success, I hope to develop a generic platform for enzyme stabilisation effective for a diverse range of enzymes in this DPhil project in conjunction with AB Vista. Priority area: Industrial Biotechnology and BioenergyBfH, ENWW