New vitamins for enzymes
Themes: Chemistry, bio- & process technology
Early prototype
A TRL is a measure to indicate the matureness of a developing technology. When an innovative idea is discovered it is often not directly suitable for application. Usually such novel idea is subjected to further experimentation, testing and prototyping before it can be implemented. The image below shows how to read TRL’s to categorise the innovative ideas.
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Why?
Currently, unstable and expensive natural cofactors are used for redox reactions with oxidoreductase enzymes. Synthetic analogues are now possible, providing much better characteristics.
How?
Synthetic analogues can increase reaction rates by orders of magnitude, are orders of magnitude cheaper to produce, and are more stable than the natural cofactor.
When?
The synthetic cofactors have already been proven to work for various oxidoreductase-catalysed reactions. Caroline is now engineering new cofactors as well as the enzymes themselves to expand the range of applications.
Dr. Caroline Paul