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Published February 11, 2022 | public
Journal Article

Innovation by evolution: bringing new chemistry to life

Abstract

Not satisfied with biology's vast catalyst repertoire, I want to create new enzyme catalysts and expand the chemistry of life. We use the most powerful biological design process, evolution, to optimize existing enzymes and invent new ones, thereby circumventing our profound ignorance of how sequence encodes function. Chemistry encoded in DNA and optimized by evolution enables efficient, sustainable routes to important fuels and chemicals. Evolution not only optimizes, it can also innovate and create entirely new enzyme catalysts. I will illustrate how whole families of new-to-nature enzymes increase the scope of molecules and materials that can be built using synthetic biology.

Additional Information

© 2021 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. Available online 11 February 2022, Version of Record 11 February 2022.

Additional details

Created:
August 22, 2023
Modified:
December 22, 2023