Resurrecting Ancient Proteins to Unlock New Catalytic Activity. This project aims to study the proteins that nature uses to make penicillin and related antibiotics, and their prehistoric ancestors. By doing so, the project expects to deepen understanding of these important processes, open up ways to make new antibiotics, and generate new knowledge about protein evolution. Intended outcomes include new biocatalysts based on the ancient ones, new antibiotic compounds active against resistant bacte ....Resurrecting Ancient Proteins to Unlock New Catalytic Activity. This project aims to study the proteins that nature uses to make penicillin and related antibiotics, and their prehistoric ancestors. By doing so, the project expects to deepen understanding of these important processes, open up ways to make new antibiotics, and generate new knowledge about protein evolution. Intended outcomes include new biocatalysts based on the ancient ones, new antibiotic compounds active against resistant bacteria, and a richer understanding of how these proteins have evolved over the last 4 billion years. This promises significant benefits in the form of new ways to address the challenge posed by antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics, which is a serious threat to the continued effectiveness of current antibiotics.Read moreRead less
Unlocking the secret chemistry of organosulfur biodegradation. The element sulfur is essential for life. Its transformation between organic-sulfur compounds to inorganic forms is a crucial part of the biogeochemical cycle. This project will elucidate the molecular details of the final leg of the biosulfur cycle: organosulfur breakdown into mineral form. An integrated chemical and biochemical approach will be used to illuminate how the carbon-sulfur bond is broken. This project will deliver a det ....Unlocking the secret chemistry of organosulfur biodegradation. The element sulfur is essential for life. Its transformation between organic-sulfur compounds to inorganic forms is a crucial part of the biogeochemical cycle. This project will elucidate the molecular details of the final leg of the biosulfur cycle: organosulfur breakdown into mineral form. An integrated chemical and biochemical approach will be used to illuminate how the carbon-sulfur bond is broken. This project will deliver a detailed molecular understanding of organosulfur breakdown to permit organosulfur recycling. Benefits of this research include potential biotechnology applications for breaking down xenobiotic organosulfonates and sustainable approaches to reduce dependence on agricultural fertilisers.Read moreRead less
A microbiological platform for the production of complex small molecules with important biological activities. Currently making complex chemicals such as medicines relies on harvesting rare natural resources or using complicated, energy intensive laboratory-based processes. This project will overcome these limitations by using a natural biological system to produce these chemicals, returning significant health and economic benefits to the nation.