Biocatalysis
Over the last 30 years, the increasing scarcity of natural resources and the acknowledged impact of human industrial activity on our environment have led to a shift toward sustainable development. Within the chemical community this has translated into the search for “green” alternatives to traditional synthetic methods. The principles of green chemistry highlight the need for the development of processes which are highly selective, efficient, and utilize environmentally-benign materials. Biocatalysis is uniquely positioned to meet these challenges as enzymatic reactions are often chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective while operating in water, under mild conditions.
Our approach to biocatalysis is heavily influence by our point of view as synthetic organic chemists. We hope to focus our efforts in the development of new biocatalysts and supporting technologies toward efficient preparation of important small molecules. Accordingly, The Collins Lab is involved in three main areas of research: Engineering of powerful new biocatalysts to fill unmet synthetic needs, demonstration of their utility through their use to total synthesis, and the application of synthetic organic chemistry to develop supporting technologies capable of shortening development times and making biotransformations easier to use. Our ultimate goal is to encourage a shift toward a synthetic paradigm in which biocatalysis is adopted as a “first generation” method for efficient and environmentally responsible synthesis. Some examples of projects of current interest in the lab are:
Our approach to biocatalysis is heavily influence by our point of view as synthetic organic chemists. We hope to focus our efforts in the development of new biocatalysts and supporting technologies toward efficient preparation of important small molecules. Accordingly, The Collins Lab is involved in three main areas of research: Engineering of powerful new biocatalysts to fill unmet synthetic needs, demonstration of their utility through their use to total synthesis, and the application of synthetic organic chemistry to develop supporting technologies capable of shortening development times and making biotransformations easier to use. Our ultimate goal is to encourage a shift toward a synthetic paradigm in which biocatalysis is adopted as a “first generation” method for efficient and environmentally responsible synthesis. Some examples of projects of current interest in the lab are:
- Investigation of molybdenum cofactor-containing dehydrogenases as productive biocatalysts for the stereoselective oxyfunctionalization of hydrocarbons
- Development of chemoenzymatic methods for the synthesis of natural products, pharmaceuticals, and materials
- Synthesis and application of custom organic materials/phases for enhanced biphasic biocatalytic system productivity and ease of downstream processing