In my research, conducted at Princeton University as part of the Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship, I aim to propel biotechnological innovation forward in the realms of renewable energy, synthesis of pharmaceuticals and environmental sustainability. Employing the cutting-edge fields of nanobiotechnology and synthetic biology, my primary focus is on the development of robust synthetic systems with multifaceted functionalities. Cell-free synthetic biology, a transformative technology, enables precise engineering of biological components without using living cells. Through the strategic utilization of heterologous catalysts and cofactors, cell-free systems serve as a high-impact platform for designing metabolic pathways and orchestrating biological processes to biomanufacture chemicals, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals. Unlike chemical catalysts, biocatalysts operate at low pressures and temperatures, minimizing the environmental impact through green processes.
Biomolecular condensates have been recently explored to enhance the catalytic efficiency and specificity of multi-step reactions. Especially, biomolecular condensates, formed through liquid-liquid phase separation, have emerged as crucial elements in cellular organization and function, offering opportunities to modulate chemical reactions and organize cellular structures. By understanding enzyme compartmentalization, the aim is to improve cell-free systems and engineered microorganisms for industrial applications. Harnessing the unique properties of biomolecular condensates for systems biocatalysis, could improve enzymatic pathway regulation, enhancing catalytic performance. Specifically, my research focuses on elucidating the role of biomolecular condensates in in vitro cascade reactions, considering factors such as condensate properties’ impact on enzyme conformation, kinetics, microenvironment and substrate specificity. Through these endeavors, we seek to contribute to the advancement of sustainable solutions addressing challenges in renewable energy, the environment, and biomedicine.
- Tags
-