Engineering an efficient biocatalyst for chiral compound production

William Marsh Rice University, Houston TX

Investigators

Abstract

CBET-0828516 Ka-Yiu San, William Marsh Rice University Intellectual merit This project will lead to the development of novel and efficient cofactor regeneration bacterial strains for whole cell biotransformation of chiral compounds, which are often used as intermediates in the synthesis of important pharmaceutical compounds. The project will investigate the idea of using modification of essential cell metabolic pathways for regeneration of the cofactor and thus the integration of the engineered bioprocess with overall cell physiology. Broader impacts The ability to regenerate cofactor efficiently will have impacts on a number of processes. In addition, the framework developed in this work could be applied to other systems for the production of many biochemical products that require the cofactor NADPH for their biosynthesis. The projects will provide training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students. Participation in this type of research will provide graduate students with interdisciplinary training in biochemical and metabolic engineering, biosystems engineering, biochemistry and molecular biology.