Project description
New enzymes to perform reactions new to nature
Enzyme catalysis and the increased availability of enzymes used in chemical synthesis are making biocatalysis attractive for producing chiral molecules. Despite their potential, natural enzymes use only a relatively small section of reaction space. This implies that only a limited number of stereo-controlled reaction classes can be effectively used in biocatalysis. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BIO-LIGHT project will investigate new strategies that should allow enzymes to catalyse asymmetric reactions that are new to nature, thus expanding the reactivity boundaries of biocatalysis. To achieve its goal, the project will combine biocatalysis with photocatalysis, a modern chemical reactivity method that offers a potential way to sustainably build new molecules.
Objective
Enzymatic catalysis plays a centrally important role for the preparation of chiral molecules and in the transition towards a more sustainable chemistry. In spite of their potential, natural enzymes use only a relatively small section of ‘reaction space’. This implies that only a limited number of stereocontrolled reaction classes, which are characterized by a similar reaction mechanism, can be effectively promoted. For example, a natural enzyme co-opted for new chemistry has the limitation that the new reactivity must be quite closely related to the naturally established catalytic function. The BIO-LIGHT project seeks to identify new strategies that allow enzymes to catalyse new-to-nature asymmetric reactions, thus expanding the reactivity boundaries of biocatalysis. To achieve this goal, we will combine biocatalysis with visible light photocatalysis, a modern strategy of chemical reactivity which offers a potent way to sustainably build new molecules. Specifically, we will explore the potential of native intermediates in the enzymes’ active sites to reach an excited state upon light absorption and enable new-to-nature enantioselective radical reactions. Light will be used to elicit mechanistic divergence within enzymes with an established ground-state reactivity, thus allowing them to catalyse completely different processes than those for which they evolved. The collaboration with an international pharma-company (Bayer AG) will facilitate the development of photo-enzymatic processes yielding chiral molecules adorned with biologically relevant scaffolds.
BIO-LIGHT combines the fellow’s experience in enzymatic catalysis and directed evolution and the host’s experience in photo-triggered asymmetric radical processes. The multi-cultural and intersectorial nature of this project will contribute to broaden the fellow’s competencies and will place him in a competitive position for the next career move.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis photocatalysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis biocatalysis
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
43007 TARRAGONA
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.