Directed Evolution: Bringing New Chemistry to Life

Tailor-made: Discussed herein is the ability to adapt biology's mechanisms for innovation and optimization to solving problems in chemistry and engineering. The evolution of nature's enzymes can lead to the discovery of new reactivity, transformations not known in biology, and reactivity inaccessible by small-molecule catalysts. In this competitive age, when new industries sprout and decay in the span of a decade, we should reflect on how a company survives to celebrate its 350th anniversary. A prerequisite for survival in business is the ability to adapt to changing environments and tastes, and to sense, anticipate, and meet needs faster and better than the competition. This requires constant innovation as…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Award: MCB-1513007
• CI
  California Institute of Technology
• DO
  Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences