Recent work in these laboratories has focused on bioprospecting for novel enzyme with useful properties for industrial applications. We have isolated several lipases, cutinases and glycosidases from a variety of organisms. This work has led to the discovery of a suite of enzymes with unusually high tolerance to organic solvents and to extremes of temperature. We have sought to explore the application of these enzymes in organic synthesis in non-conventional media - Deep Eutectic Solvents.
These enzymes have been isolated from robust solvent tolerant microorganisms such as Amycolatopsis mediterranei and Streptomyces griseus. An interesting aspect of this work was the discovery that many of these enzymes become activated in Eutectic Solvents and their thermostability is enhanced. This allows for a myriad of useful applications. We have also discovered and structurally characterised a "plastic eating" enzyme for use in bioremediation.
A number of target molecules have been identified as demonstration projects. The potential to make chemicals at greatly reduced cost and with low energy input using renewable environmentally safe materials is an exciting prospect.
Current research projects include:
Plastics degradation by novel Cutinases
We have discovered an interesting cutinase with the ability to degrade certain plastics (Polybutylene succinate and poly(ε-caprolactone) but not Poly(L-lactic acid) or Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET).
Glucosidase for novel glycoside synthesis
Alkyl glucosides are used in cosmetics, household detergents, agricultural products and pharmaceutical. We have found that they can be synthesises in high yield in the presence of Deep Eutectic Solvents.
Redox Biocatalysis in Deep Eutectic Solvents
The possibility of employing redox enzymes in Deep Eutectic Solvents has been little explored. W plan to examine the use of amine oxidases and dehydrogenases in these solvents.
Novel Lipases for Green Chemistry Synthesis of Lipopeptides/nucleotides
Lipopeptides and Liponucleotides have potential applications in cancer treatment. We will explore enzymatic routes to these compounds.
Biocatalysis in Flow Chemistry Platforms
Biocatalysis offers a readily scalable platform for Biocatalytic synthesis. Many of the Biocatalytic processes developed to date can be migrated to this platform with the promise of greater yields and reaction efficiency due to mass transfer advantages.
If you are interested in joining the Green Chemistry Biocatalysis Group, please get in touch with Prof. Gary Henehan (Gary.Henehan@TUDublin.ie) with informal enquiries. Currently open vacancies are noted here.