Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Immobilization of Multi-biocatalysts in Alginate Beads for Cofactor Regeneration and Improved Reusability
Published on: April 22, 2016
Engineering a Seven Enzyme Biotransformation using Mathematical Modelling and Characterized Enzyme Parts
William Finnigan1, Rhys Cutlan2, Radka Snajdrova3
1Department of Biosciences University of Exeter Henry Wellcome Building for Biocatalysis Stocker Road Exeter EX4 4QD UK.
Abstract:
Multi-step enzyme reactions offer considerable cost and productivity benefits. Process models offer a route to understanding the complexity of these reactions, and allow for their optimization. Despite the increasing prevalence of multi-step biotransformations, there are few examples of process models for enzyme reactions. From a toolbox of characterized enzyme parts, we demonstrate the construction of a process model for a seven enzyme, three step biotransformation using isolated enzymes. Enzymes for cofactor regeneration were employed to make this in vitro reaction economical. Good modelling practice was critical in evaluating the impact of approximations and experimental error. We show that the use and validation of process models was instrumental in realizing and removing process bottlenecks, identifying divergent behavior, and for the optimization of the entire reaction using a genetic algorithm. We validated the optimized reaction to demonstrate that complex multi-step reactions with cofactor recycling involving at least seven enzymes can be reliably modelled and optimized.
Related Concept Videos
Catalytically Perfect Enzymes
Most enzymes...
Enzymes
Enzyme deficiencies can often translate into life-threatening diseases. For example, a genetic abnormality resulting in the deficiency of the enzyme G6PD...
Enzyme Kinetics
Scientists typically study enzyme kinetics with a fixed amount of enzyme in the controlled environment of a test tube. When more reactant, or substrate, is...
Drug Biotransformation: Overview
Drug Biotransformation: Overview
Turnover Number and Catalytic Efficiency
Chymotrypsin is a pancreatic enzyme that breaks down proteins during digestion....

