Directed Evolution of Enzymes for Bioremediation: Structure Function Studies of Bimetalloenzymes

We want to use directed evolution to evolve enzymes for new and useful purposes to make them efficient catalysts for the chemical engineer, medical researchers and people interested in bioremediation. We also want to understand how changes in amino acid sequence affect the catalytic process this will be achieved using X-ray crystallography and a number of kinetic and spectroscopic techniques. By studying physical properties of a series of mutants with a range of catalytic properties we will obtain detailed information as to how these enzymes function. In effect, the proposed research will give new insights into enzyme mechanisms.