Silicon Biotechnology

硅生物科技

• 批准号: 341567-2013
• 负责人: Zelisko, Paul
• 金额: $ 2.48万
• 依托单位: Brock University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=572301
• 关键词: Silicon; Biotechnology

Although data presented in the mid 1990s suggested that silicones and proteins were incompatible, more recent research has demonstrated that generalizations regarding the effects of silicones on proteins are not necessarily detrimental. In fact, silicones can interact with proteins without denaturing them, and in some cases a cooperative interaction between silicone and proteins has been observed. The proteolytic enzyme trypsin can even catalyze the conversion of alkoxysilanes to inorganic silica in vitro. Although Nature has evolved many systems that process Si-O bonds, biologically-mediated bonds between silicon and other atoms are virtually unknown, including the formation of a Si-C bond. The ability to make bonds between silicon atoms and atoms other than oxygen using biotechnology would revolutionize the field of silicon chemistry. Many catalytic systems and reagents employed in silicon-related chemistry have inherent toxicities or negative environmental implications. We wish to develop alternate, 'greener' methodologies for performing reactions at or near silicon centres using biotechnology. It is the long-term objective of the proposed research programme to extend the scope of biologically mediated silicone reactions and to develop other green routes for the synthesis of silicon containing compounds. To this end, we will take three approaches: to develop a library of reactions that can be performed at or near silicon centres using biotechnology; to fully understand the mechanisms by which biology can perform chemistry on silicon-based compounds to better tailor the biotechnological techniques, and to apply this knowledge to the synthesis and biodegradation of silicone polymers.

尽管 20 世纪 90 年代中期提供的数据表明有机硅和蛋白质不相容，但最近的研究表明，关于有机硅对蛋白质影响的概括不一定是有害的。事实上，有机硅可以与蛋白质相互作用而不使蛋白质变性，并且在某些情况下已经观察到有机硅和蛋白质之间的协同相互作用。蛋白水解酶胰蛋白酶甚至可以在体外催化烷氧基硅烷转化为无机二氧化硅。尽管大自然已经进化出许多处理 Si-O 键的系统，但硅和其他原子之间的生物介导的键实际上是未知的，包括 Si-C 键的形成。利用生物技术在硅原子和氧以外的原子之间形成键的能力将彻底改变硅化学领域。 硅相关化学中使用的许多催化系统和试剂具有固有的毒性或对环境产生负面影响。我们希望开发替代的“绿色”方法，利用生物技术在硅中心或硅中心附近进行反应。拟议研究计划的长期目标是扩大生物介导的有机硅反应的范围并开发其他合成含硅化合物的绿色路线。为此，我们将采取三种方法：开发一个可以使用生物技术在硅中心或硅中心附近进行的反应库；充分了解生物学对硅基化合物进行化学反应的机制，以更好地定制生物技术，并将这些知识应用于有机硅聚合物的合成和生物降解。