title: Combinatorial biocatalysis: a natural approach to drug discovery.
abstract: Nature's most potent molecules are produced by enzyme-catalysed reactions, coupled with the natural selection of those products that possess optimal biological activity. Combinatorial biocatalysis harnesses the natural diversity of enzymatic reactions for the iterative synthesis of organic libraries. Iterative reactions can be performed using isolated enzymes or whole cells, in natural and unnatural environments, and on substrates in solution or on a solid phase. Combinatorial biocatalysis is a powerful addition to the expanding array of combinatorial methods for the generation and optimization of lead compounds in drug discovery and development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Michels
authors.forename: Y L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Khmelnitsky
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Dordick
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000215:Acylation; D000577:Amides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D001671:Biochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D002384:Catalysis; D015195:Drug Design; D004798:Enzymes; D014326:Tropanes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D001578:Benzopyrans; D004798:Enzymes; D014326:Tropanes; C006741:bergenin