Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
05:08
Author Spotlight: Advancing Protein Engineering – Harnessing Evolution Through PRANCE and Lab Automation
Published on: January 12, 2024
2.4K
Advancing protein engineering via organic chemistry.
Raj V Nithun1, Manjeet Singh1, Adam Baransi1
1School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Communications Chemistry
|April 18, 2026
Summary
Chemical protein engineering advances synthetic biology by enabling precise, atom-level protein modifications. This review highlights applications in catalysis, functional studies, and drug development for novel protein functions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Synthetic Biology
- Chemical Biology
Background:
- Proteins are essential for biological processes, with functions regulated by post-translational modifications (PTMs).
- PTMs dynamically alter protein structure, localization, and activity, influencing biological outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in chemical protein engineering.
- To highlight the applications of these engineered proteins in various fields.
Main Methods:
- Leveraging advances in synthetic organic chemistry for novel protein production.
- Utilizing structural elucidation technologies for atom-level protein modifications.
- Applying modern organic chemistry techniques to tailor protein function.
Main Results:
- Chemical protein engineering enables the creation of proteins with unique structural and functional properties.
- These engineered proteins offer expanded capabilities beyond naturally occurring ones.
- Progress significantly enhances the toolkit for generating complex proteins.
Conclusions:
- Chemical protein engineering is a rapidly advancing field with broad potential.
- Emerging applications include catalysis, functional studies, and drug development.
- This technology expands the possibilities for basic research and biomedical applications.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Production of Pharmaceuticals
84
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...
84
01:24Protein Organization
10.2K
Proteins are polymers of amino acid residues. They are versatile and responsible for different cellular functions, including DNA replication, molecular transport, catalysis, and structural support. Proteins have a hierarchical structure comprising at least three levels of organization: primary, secondary, and tertiary structure. Some large proteins have a quaternary structure where individual protein subunits are linked together.
The primary structure of a protein is its amino acid sequence....
The primary structure of a protein is its amino acid sequence....
10.2K
01:13Protein Organization
162.6K
Overview
162.6K
01:27Upstream Processing
92
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...
92
01:10Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
3.8K
Chain-growth or addition polymerization is successive addition reactions of monomers with a polymer chain. In radical chain-growth polymerization, the reaction proceeds via a free-radical intermediate. The free radical is formed from radical initiators, which spontaneously generate free radicals by homolytic fission. Organic peroxides (such as dibenzoyl peroxide, as shown in Figure 1) or azo compounds are popular radical initiators. A low concentration ratio of radical initiator to monomer is...
3.8K
02:26Conservation of Protein Domains Over Different Proteins
15.3K
Protein domains are small structurally independent units that are part of a single amino acid chain. Although these domains are often structurally independent, they may rely on synergistic effects to perform their functions as part of a larger protein. Protein domains may be conserved within the same organism, as well as across different organisms.
A limited set of protein domains often duplicate and recombine during evolution. These domains can be organized in different combinations to...
A limited set of protein domains often duplicate and recombine during evolution. These domains can be organized in different combinations to...
15.3K