Project description
Enzymatic synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients
In chemistry, chiral molecules are mirror images of each other. Synthesis of the right enantiomer is of particular importance, especially for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) where the biological effect of the compound is crucial. This synthesis often involves harsh conditions or toxic metals and is thus unsuitable for medical compounds. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, the ThioBioCat project will exploit the power of enzymes in novel biocatalytic approaches for the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Enzymes have the inherent ability to facilitate chemical synthesis in a simple and environmentally friendly manner and offer an advantage in the production of compounds destined for human use.
Objective
Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are crucial for public health. However, their synthesis is often challenging due to the high complexity of modern drug molecules. In particular, APIs need to have well-defined chirality as opposite enantiomers can have dramatically different biological effects. Yet, the synthesis of chiral centres is often challenging and toxic metals as well as harsh reaction conditions are often required. Enzymes on the other hand can often achieve unmatched enantioselectivities while also avoiding such environmentally unfavourable conditions.
While several biocatalytic strategies for the synthesis of chiral alcohols and amines, have been developed few such strategies exist for the synthesis of chiral thiols and thioethers, despite 20% of all APIs containing sulfur. In the project described herein, I will be developing biocatalytic approaches for the synthesis of thiols and thioethers by exploring promiscuous activities of classes of enzymes widely used in industry. This will expand the tools available for their synthesis and open up new routes and new chemical space for the synthesis of APIs, and improve the sustainability.
While working with Dr Caroline Paul in the Biocatalysis group at TU Delft, I will receive training in handling nicotinamide- and flavin-dependent oxidoreductase enzymes as well as specialist computational tools for enzyme engineering, while providing my experience in high-throughput screening and chemical synthesis. I will have the opportunity to co-supervise Bachelor, Master, and PhD students, and attend several key conferences. This will allow me to further develop the necessary scientific and teaching skills that are required for leading my own research group.
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 organic chemistry alcohols
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis biocatalysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry amines
- 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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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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.
2628 CN DELFT
Netherlands
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.