Discovering enzymes from plant alkaloid biosynthesis

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Plants produce a variety of nitrogen-containing molecules known as alkaloids,many of which are bioactive and used as medicines (e.g. morphine,vinblastine). These compounds are often structurally complex andchallenging to form using traditional synthetic chemistry. By discovering andcharacterising the enzymes that are involved in alkaloid biosynthesis, it willbe possible to use these to produce alkaloids or their derivatives in vitro orusing synthetic biology approaches.This project will involve the discovery and characterisation of biosyntheticenzymes from plants. Initially gene candidates will be identified using RNA-sequencing and then cloned and the enzymes expressed using recombinanttechnologies. Relevant enzyme activities will identified using mass-spectrometry. Newly discovered biosynthetic enzymes will be biochemicallycharacterised and used to synthesise complex alkaloids. The aim of thisproject is to understand how plants produce complex molecules in order todevelop technologies to make high-value compounds.