Key words
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asymmetric catalysis; aldol reaction; enzymes; enzyme models
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Research programs
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COST-Action D25 - Sustainable Chemical Processes: Stereoselective Transition Metal-Catalysed Reactions
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Short description
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The manipulation and exploration of catalysis using enzymes and catalytic antibodies will be explored: - Engineering of aldolases for novel specificities by directed evolution: Aldolases enzymes are powerful catalysts for asymmetric synthesis, yet their substrate specificities and stereoselectivites are limiting. We will produce modified aldolases with new substrate and stereo-specificities by using random evolution/selection technology guided by structural informations from crystal structures of natural aldolases. This project will also pursue the exploration of efficient screening assays for stereoselective aldol reactions. - Aldolase antibodies: Aldolase antibodies operate similarly to aldolase enzymes but possess a different, much broader, and still largely unexplored substrate spectrum. We will explore systematically the use of aldolase antibodies for the stereoselective preparation of useful synthons.
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Further information
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Full name of research-institution/enterprise: Universität Bern Departement für Chemie und Biochemie
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Partners and International Organizations
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A, B, CZ, DK, FIN, F, D, GR, H, I, LV, NL, N, PL, SK, SI, E, S, CH, GB
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Abstract
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Aldolase enzymes are powerful catalysts for asymmetric synthesis, yet their substrate specificities and stereoselectivities are limiting. Aldolases with new substrate and stereo-specificities are produced by using random evolution/selection technology, guided by structural informations from crystal structures of natural aldolases. It is also possible to obtain artificial aldolase catalysts, for example on antibody or peptide basis, that operate by a similar mechanism Such artificial catalysts possess a different, much broader, and still largely unexplored substrate spectrum. Since its formation in 2002, our WG has focused on aldol-type biotransformations, in particular the developement and use of new biocatalysts for this important CC-bond forming reaction. Our WG comprises synthetic organic chemistry groups dedicated to methodology, bioorganic chemistry groups involved in model systems and enzyme manipulations, molecular biology groups and microbiologists dealing with directed evolution, and structural biologists. Besides bilateral direct collaborations between groups and exchange of students, the WG has allowed constant exchange of scientific ideas helping to shape the research of each research groups. The emphasis of the group in Berne was the PhD thesis of Jacob Kofoed dedicated to the developement of peptide and peptide dendrimer catalysts for the aldol reactions.
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References in databases
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Swiss Database: COST-DB of the State Secretariat for Education and Research Hallwylstrasse 4 CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland Tel. +41 31 322 74 82 Swiss Project-Number: C02.0095
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