In Nature, two Massachusetts General Hospital researchers describe a way of creating novel enzymes that, for the first time, do not require prior understanding of exactly how the enzymes work. The creation of totally new enzymes can help improve the synthesis of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, devise new tools for molecular biology research, and develop new therapies. The intricate interplay of proteins and other chemicals that underlies most biological activities requires the participation of enzymes, specialized molecules that accelerate chemical reactions between molecules.
"To date, the only source of enzymes has been biology," says Jack Szostak, PhD, of the MGH Department of Molecular Biology, the report's senior author. "Great efforts are going into modifying and improving these natural enzymes, and our work demonstrates the potential of evolving completely new enzymes in the laboratory."
- check out the release on the enzyme work
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