Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
09:27
Immobilization of Multi-biocatalysts in Alginate Beads for Cofactor Regeneration and Improved Reusability
Published on: April 22, 2016
Creating protein biocatalysts as tools for future industrial applications
John C Chaput1, Neal W Woodbury, Linda A Stearns
1Center for BioOptical Nanotechnology, The Biodesign Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5201, USA. john.chaput@asu.edu
Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy
|July 11, 2008
Summary
Display technologies offer new ways to discover and engineer biocatalysts for industrial applications. This review highlights methods and future directions for creating novel enzymes with enhanced functions.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Protein Engineering
- Enzyme Evolution
Background:
- Biocatalysts offer economical and energy-efficient alternatives to chemical manufacturing.
- There is a significant need for novel protein catalysts for industrial applications where current options are limited.
- Traditional protein engineering relies on cell-based, 96-well format techniques for enzyme evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- This review examines recent advancements in display technologies for enzyme evolution.
- The focus is on generating novel enzymes with altered specificity or new functions.
- It provides alternatives to traditional cell-based methods.
Main Methods:
- Discusses library creation methods used in enzyme evolution.
- Highlights various display technologies commonly employed.
- Covers techniques used in conjunction with enzyme evolution.
Main Results:
- Display technologies provide powerful alternatives for enzyme discovery.
- These methods facilitate the generation of enzymes with altered or novel functions.
- Progress in these technologies enables efficient protein engineering.
Conclusions:
- Display technologies are crucial for discovering novel enzymes.
- Future trans-disciplinary approaches combining directed evolution and computational design are promising.
- These integrated platforms will accelerate the discovery of new catalytic functions.
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...
01:30Production of Pharmaceuticals
Industrial insulin production uses genetically engineered E. coli expressing a proinsulin gene controlled by a tryptophan promoter and containing a methionine linker for later cleavage. The cells also carry ampicillin resistance for selective growth. Seed cultures are stored at −80 °C and production begins by thawing a small amount to inoculate starter cultures, which are progressively scaled to a 50,000-L bioreactor. In the bioreactor, E. coli grow in nutrient-rich media under sterile, tightly...
01:27Production of Antibiotics
Penicillin, one of the earliest and most widely used antibiotics, is produced industrially by the filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum. Large stirred-tank bioreactors ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of liters maintain tightly controlled temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen conditions to support fungal metabolism and maximize antibiotic yield. Penicillin is a secondary metabolite, synthesized primarily during the stationary growth phase, which requires a carefully managed...
01:18Amino Acid Catabolism
Microorganisms rely on proteins as an essential carbon and energy source, particularly in environments with limited polysaccharides or lipids. However, proteins are too large to cross the plasma membrane unaided, necessitating enzymatic degradation. Microbes secrete extracellular proteases and peptidases that hydrolyze proteins into peptides, which can then be transported across the membrane. Once inside the cell, intracellular proteases degrade these peptides into free amino acids, which...
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...
01:24Biosynthesis in Bacteria
Biosynthesis in bacteria is a fundamental anabolic process that generates essential macromolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and polysaccharides. These macromolecules are critical for cellular growth, replication, and function. The process is tightly regulated and energetically linked to catabolic pathways to ensure optimal resource utilization.Biosynthetic pathways begin with precursor metabolites such as pyruvate, acetyl-CoA, and glucose-6-phosphate derived from glycolysis,...