Sustainable Biocatalysis: Directed Evolution of Decarboxylase Enzymes

Synthetic Biology & Industrial Biotechnology offer a means of producing key organic molecules in a cleaner, greener and more sustainable way. In this research project, decarboxylase enzymes will be subjected to directed evolution (protein engineering/site-directed mutagenesis) in order to introduce new substrate and reaction specificity. The evolved enzymes will then be used either on their own, or as the initial catalyst in an artificial enzyme cascade to generate key high value intermediates for the pharmaceutical, chemical and food sectors. The effect of using a variety of non-aqueous reaction conditions on the evolved enzymes will also be examined. The PhD is one of a number funded by the Centre for Synthetic Biology at the University of Nottingham and you will join a cohort of students whose focus is on engineering proteins and metabolic pathways and will gain additional advanced training in synthetic biology. The work will be conducted in the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences which has state of the art facilities for protein manipulation and characterisation including X-ray crystallography, high field NMR, ITC, DSC, SPR and the School of Chemistry.

Funding: SBRC/School of Chemistry – 4 years from 1st October 2016

Eligibility/Funding Notes: UK Students with an MChem/MSci (4 year) degree in Biochemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Chemistry or other degree that covers both Biology and Chemistry who have achieved an Upper Second Class degree or better from the UK. Students with an equivalent degree from the European Union who also hold an accepted English Language qualification (IELTS 6.0 average; no element less than 5.5).

References: Biocatalysis in Supercritical Fluids, in Fluorous Solvents, and under Solvent-Free Conditions, Helen R. Hobbs Neil R. Thomas, Chemical Reviews, 2007, 107, 2786-2820

DOI: 10.1021/cr0683820

Application:

For informal enquiries, please contact: [Email Address Removed]

Applications should be made via http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/apply/apply-online.aspx

Applications will be considered as they are received and therefore early application is advised.

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