Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026
09:27
Immobilization of Multi-biocatalysts in Alginate Beads for Cofactor Regeneration and Improved Reusability
Published on: April 22, 2016
Biocatalysis for pharmaceuticals--status and prospects for a key technology
B C Buckland1, D K Robinson, M Chartrain
1Bioprocess R&D, Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, New Jersey 07065-0900, USA.
Metabolic Engineering
|August 10, 2000
Summary
Biocatalysis offers opportunities for pharmaceutical chiral synthesis. Whole-cell systems and metabolic engineering are key for complex cofactor-dependent reactions and novel pathway construction.
Area of Science:
- Biocatalysis and metabolic engineering for pharmaceutical synthesis.
Background:
- Chiral synthesis is crucial for pharmaceuticals.
- Simple enzyme systems have limitations for cofactor-dependent reactions.
- Whole-cell biocatalysis is often required for complex synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess opportunities for metabolic engineering in de novo pathway construction.
- To explore the biosynthesis of advanced pharmaceutical intermediates.
- To provide a conceptual example for cis-aminoindanol biosynthesis.
Main Methods:
- Review of biocatalysis applications in chiral synthesis.
- Assessment of metabolic engineering strategies for pathway construction.
- Conceptual design of biosynthetic pathways.
Main Results:
- Whole-cell systems are advantageous for reactions requiring cofactors.
- Metabolic engineering enables the construction of de novo pathways.
- A conceptual pathway for cis-aminoindanol biosynthesis was developed.
Conclusions:
- Biocatalysis, particularly whole-cell systems and metabolic engineering, presents significant opportunities for pharmaceutical chiral synthesis.
- Future work will focus on assembling novel pathways for efficient biosynthesis of complex molecules.
- One-step biosynthesis of semisynthetic natural products is a future goal.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Bioreactor Controls-III
Strain improvement is a foundational strategy in industrial microbiology aimed at maximizing microbial productivity, particularly because natural isolates typically yield commercially valuable products in very low concentrations. Although optimizing the culture medium and environmental conditions can improve yields, these adjustments are inherently limited by the organism’s genetic potential. As a result, the focus shifts toward genetic modifications to enhance biosynthetic capacity. The...
01:27Upstream Processing
Upstream processing represents a critical phase in biomanufacturing, wherein biological systems such as microorganisms, mammalian cells, or insect cells are cultivated to produce therapeutic proteins, vaccines, enzymes, or other biologically derived products. This phase encompasses all steps from the selection and genetic manipulation of the production organism to the cultivation of cells in bioreactors under tightly controlled environmental conditions.Host Selection and Genetic OptimizationThe...
01:25Production of Organic Acids
Lactic acid, an important organic acid extensively applied in food, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable polymer industries, is primarily produced via microbial fermentation. This method is favored over chemical synthesis due to its environmental sustainability and capacity for enantiomerically pure product formation. Among various microbial processes, the fermentation of starch-based substrates stands out due to the abundance and renewability of raw materials like corn and potatoes.Hydrolysis of...
01:27Bioplastics
Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...
01:25Biofuels
The microbial conversion of organic matter into biofuels holds potential as a renewable energy source. Among biofuel sources, microalgae are recognized as a highly efficient and adaptable feedstock for biodiesel production, owing to their rapid biomass accumulation, elevated lipid productivity, and capacity to proliferate in diverse aquatic systems, including freshwater, marine, and wastewater habitats. Unlike terrestrial crops, microalgae do not compete for land and can achieve significantly...
01:28Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a synthetic polymer widely utilized in the packaging industry, particularly for bottles and containers. Due to its chemical stability and durability, PET accumulates in the environment, contributing significantly to plastic pollution. It comprises repeating units of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, resulting in a semi-crystalline structure that is resistant to natural degradation processes.A notable breakthrough in plastic biodegradation came with the...