Project description
Engineered enzymes for new reactions
Enzymes are nature’s most efficient catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions with remarkable precision. However, their natural abilities are shaped by evolution, which limits their use in industry. The ERC-funded BioReInt project plans to develop a computational framework to design enzymes for entirely new chemical reactions. Research will focus on creating specialised enzyme environments that stabilise reactive molecules and guide them along desired pathways efficiently. By combining enzyme dynamics, targeted mutations and AI-based protein modelling, the approach will identify protein sequences optimised for modern applications such as radical and photocatalytic processes. BioReInt could enable breakthroughs in green chemistry, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
Objective
Enzymes are nature’s most efficient catalysts, enabling complex reactions with remarkable speed and selectivity. However, their scope is limited by evolutionary pressures, restricting their utility in synthetic and industrial applications. While enzyme engineering has achieved significant advancements, major challenges remain. Directed evolution has been transformative, but it is labor-intensive and relies on suitable starting scaffolds. Computational enzyme design is promising complementary strategy, however, its potential remains largely unrealized as designed enzymes often require extensive laboratory evolution, underscoring critical gaps in our understanding of enzyme catalysis.
This project addresses these limitations by developing an integrative computational framework for designing enzymes capable of catalyzing new-to-nature reactions involving highly reactive intermediates. It proposes a transformative approach by combining a holistic understanding of enzymatic catalysis with cutting-edge computational tools inspired by nature’s evolutionary principles. The innovation lies in leveraging enzyme electrostatic preorganization and active site confinement to control and enhance catalysis in complex reactions involving high reactive intermediates. By harnessing conformational dynamics and introducing targeted sets of mutations, the project aims to create confined, polarized environments that stabilize reactive species and guide them along desired pathways. Integrating mechanistic insights with electrostatic preorganization and advanced AI-tools for protein structure prediction, this approach enables precise identification of protein sequences optimized for modern biocatalysis, including radical and photocatalytic processes.
Beyond advancing fundamental understanding, the project will provide accessible AI tools to support researchers in best practices for computational enzyme modeling, driving innovation in green chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.
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 biological sciences genetics mutation
- 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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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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) ERC-2025-COG
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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.
17004 GIRONA
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.