Structure, Function and Application of Novel Biocatalysts

• Organic Chemistry - Synthesis and analysis of biotransformation substrates and product standards.
• Microbiology - Screening for new microbial transformations; optimisation of biocatalyst production.
• Molecular biology - Cloning, expression and manipulation of novel genes of interest.
• Structural biology - Investigation and tailoring of enzyme structure and function

We are currently studying a variety of novel enzymatic systems including:

• Carbon-carbon bond lyases and hydrolases
• Enzymatic transformation of substrates containing silicon
• Cytochromes P450 and Flavin-dependent oxidases
• Comparative structural biology of enzyme superfamilies (Dehydrogenases, Oxidases)

Close collaboration between the YSBL group and Chemistry Department at the University of York ensures that facilities are available for all aspects of research into this area of chemical biology, from organic synthesis and analysis through to protein structure studies.