Project description
Enzymes reengineered for a novel catalyst design
Increasing the speed and energetic efficiency with which reactions occur is critical to numerous processes in nature, industry and medicine. Specialised molecules called catalysts do the job. In nature, the majority of catalysts are enzymes, complex proteins made of amino acid sequences. Non-enzymatic catalysts are also found in nature and are particularly prevalent in industrial processes. However, they typically require high temperatures and large concentrations to perform satisfactorily. Thiazolium salts have long been used as catalysts in organic chemistry and THIAZOLIUMenzyme is developing a way to get the best of both worlds. Incorporating thiazolium amino acids into an enzyme, the team plans to deliver a greener catalyst for industrial applications and a novel enzyme for medical use.
Objective
The design of enzymatic catalysts and protein therapeutics with tailored, new-to-nature properties is a long-standing goal in enzymology and cell biology. Nature generally uses 20 amino acids as building blocks for protein synthesis. However, this portfolio limits the options for engineering proteins with ‘un-natural’ activities. Recent developments in the expansion of the genetic code have the potential to revolutionise the design of novel enzymes; by reprogramming the genetic code, we could convey novel functionality into proteins and extend their properties. This project aims at incorporating thiazolium amino acids into the active site of a promiscuous and highly evolvable de novo enzyme, namely the RA95 (retro)-aldolase, for orchestrating organocatalytic transformations of clinical and industrial interest. Such reactions, conventionally mediated by non-enzymatic, small molecule N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysts require high temperature and catalyst loading. An engineered enzyme with the ability to catalyse such chemistry may overcome the drawbacks of these abiological catalysts, serving as a ‘greener’ biocatalytic alternative, and also perform the desired reactions in cells for medicinal purposes. This initiative will pave the way for development of general strategies for creating enzymes with unique properties and provide a tool-box for efficient, environmentally-friendly and bioorthogonal organocatalysed reactions. It is anticipated that the generated artificial biocatalysts will have attractive applications in research, medicine and industry.
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 biological sciences cell biology
- 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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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-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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-2018
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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.
8092 Zuerich
Switzerland
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.