Photobiocatalysis for sustainable synthesis

A systems approach to catalysis is emerging as the framework under which all molecules (drugs, agrochemicals, commodities, molecular probes etc) in the biotechnology industry will be synthesised. This future synthesis will utilise whole organisms (synthetic biology), biocatalysis and chemo-catalysis in a joined-up and coherent fashion, such that synthetic routes are dramatically streamlined in terms of costs, environmental footprint and synthetic efficiency. This will require new
ways of working; the proposed multi-disciplinary project offers training in chemistry, biology and analytical science that will produce the working environment necessary for a more systems-led approach to industrial biotechnology. The project proposes to translate state of the art reaction systems in chemical photocatalysis to biotechnology, using proteins as photosensitive catalysts for new transformations, providing a truly contemporary PhD training experience at the interface
of chemistry and biology.