Directed Evolution of EneIRED Biocatalysts for Application in Organic Synthesis

EneIREDS are a recently discovered family of enzymes that catalyse conjugate reduction/reductive amination of enones with amines. In order to expand their synthetic application it is necessary to engineer EneIREDs such that they possess broader substrate scope (enone; amine) and also higher stereoselectivity and activity. Furthermore it would be advantageous to enhance their stability through immobilization.

The aim of this project is to apply directed evolution technologies to develop variants of wild-type EneIREDs with broad substrate scope and high activity/selectivity, particularly for application in the synthesis of biological active target molecules including pharmaceuticals.

This project addresses key EPSRC challenges including sustainable manufacturing and the development of integrated catalytic processes.