Silicon Biotechnology

虽然在20世纪90年代中期提出的数据表明有机硅和蛋白质是不相容的，但最近的研究表明，关于有机硅对蛋白质的影响的概括并不一定是有害的。事实上，有机硅可以与蛋白质相互作用而不使其变性，并且在某些情况下已经观察到有机硅和蛋白质之间的合作相互作用。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。尽管自然界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原子之间建立化学键的能力将彻底改变硅化学领域。

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.