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Review
Nature Biotechnology  20, 37 - 45 (2002)
doi:10.1038/nbt0102-37

The search for the ideal biocatalyst

Stephanie G Burton1, Don A Cowan2, 3 & John M Woodley4

1  Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.

2  Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower St., London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.

3  Current address: Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa.

4  Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom.

Correspondence should be addressed to Don A Cowan dcowan@uwc.ac.za
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.

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Nature Biotechnology
ISSN: 1087-0156
EISSN: 1546-1696
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