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Biocatalytic Methyltransferase Cascades

Project description

Highly selective methylation using nature’s catalysts

Methylation, the addition to or substitution of a methyl group to an organic compound, is a widely used chemical transformation in both the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. However, selective methylation can be difficult to accomplish. Methylation is widespread in nature, and enzymes, nature’s catalysts, could provide a solution. The European Research Council-funded MetTraC project will develop novel enzyme-based biocatalytic methyltransferase cascades with exceptional chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivities to address the need for more controlled methylation in synthetic chemistry. The outcomes could unlock the door to new reactions and more efficient routes to existing complex molecule products.

Objective

The goal of this project is to develop a general system for preparative enzyme-catalyzed methylation reactions. Selective methylation of complex molecules can be challenging for synthetic chemistry. Given the exquisite chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivities of enzyme catalysis we believe that biocatalysis presents a powerful alternative for commercial production of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. In this project we demonstrate the applicability and commercial viability of a novel enzyme-based technology to preparative methylation reactions.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) ERC-2018-PoC

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Host institution

UNIVERSITAT BASEL
Net EU contribution
€ 149 760,00
Address
PETERSPLATZ 1
4051 Basel
Switzerland
Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Nordwestschweiz Basel-Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 149 760,00

Beneficiaries (1)