Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences
Biocatalysis and Bio-organic Chemistry
Introduction
The Biocatalysis and Bio-organic Chemistry group is lead by Ron Wever, internationally well known for his work on structure and function of vanadium bromoperoxidases present in seaweeds, and of vanadium chloroperoxidases present in many phytopathogenic fungi.
The group has a unique position in the study of these vanadium enzymes, using a variety of techniques ranging from directed evolution to X- ray absorption spectroscopy. Research is always performed in close cooperation with other groups, within HIMS as well as without.
According to Wever the enzymes under study are very important because of their products. "These have an impact on tropospheric photochemistry that is much larger than anticipated, both on regional and global scales."
Wever also keeps an open eye for application of the enzymes. The group now focuses on the use and development of biocatalysts in synthetic organic chemistry as a "green" alternative for existing chemical procedures.
For instance, the group developed a novel procedure using a cascade of enzymes in one pot. Starting from simple carbon compounds these cascade reactions arrive at the synthesis of a variety of complex and chiral carbohydrates. According to Wever the development of such biocatalytic cascade reactions will allow complete syntheses of complex target molecules "that up to now can only be obtained via separate steps and protective group chemistry".
Research
Research at the Biocatalysis and Bio-organic Chemistry group is part of the HIMS research theme 'Biomolecular Synthesis' but has also ties with the 'Catalysis' theme. It focuses on the use and development of biocatalysts in synthetic organic chemistry as a "green" alternative for existing chemical procedures. This comprises the discovery of new enzymes, the modification of others and subsequently testing their potential use in novel synthetic procedures.
To pursue the latter, suitable expression systems with convenient hosts are developed. After purification and characterization the recombinant enzymes are screened regarding their substrate specificity, regioselectivity, enantioselectivity and potential application.
Furthermore, directed evolution is used as a tool to optimize and improve selected enzymes. In general, organic conversions with enzymes are performed in aqueous media.
