Design and Directed Evolution of Artificial Photoenzymes (C06)

• Subject Area: Biological and Biomimetic Chemistry
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 444632635

Photoexcitation of natural or synthetic chromophores in the chiral environment of proteins gives access to new photoenzymatic activities. In work package 1, we utilize naturally occurring redox enzymes and enable stereoselective photocatalysis by repurposing pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and flavin cofactors, respectively. In work package 2, we equip de novo designed protein scaffolds with a synthetic thioxanthone-based photosensitizer to achieve stereoselective photocyclizations. In both cases, we combine computational modeling and directed evolution to optimize catalytic efficiency and stereoselectivity.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 325: Assembly Controlled Chemical Photocatalysis
• Applicant Institution: Universität Regensburg
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Cathleen Zeymer