title: The search for the ideal biocatalyst.
abstract: While the use of enzymes as biocatalysts to assist in the industrial manufacture of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals has enormous potential, application is frequently limited by evolution-led catalyst traits. The advent of designer biocatalysts, produced by informed selection and mutation through recombinant DNA technology, enables production of process-compatible enzymes. However, to fully realize the potential of designer enzymes in industrial applications, it will be necessary to tailor catalyst properties so that they are optimal not only for a given reaction but also in the context of the industrial process in which the enzyme is applied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Stephanie G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: Don A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cowan
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Woodley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods; D002384:Catalysis; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D004798:Enzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D013045:Species Specificity; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D004247:DNA