Optimising enzyme function by directed evolution
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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Mutagenesis and Functional Selection Protocols for Directed Evolution of Proteins in E. coli
Published on: March 16, 2011
1The Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, WC1E 7JE, London, UK. p.dalby@ucl.ac.uk
Abstract:
The past decade has seen a revolution in our ability to engineer designer enzymes using genetic tools that mimic evolution on a laboratory timescale. Many excellent examples of directed evolution applied to a wide range of enzymes have clearly demonstrated its future role in adapting enzymes for use in the chemical industry. Recent advances in 'smart' library design and computational screening are now permitting much deeper searches of sequence space, which potentially increases the extent to which enzyme function can be modified.
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