Catalysis at the Interface of Biology and Inorganic Chemistry
Nature has evolved many highly fascinating biomolecules that can perform complex chemical transformations with high selectivity and efficiency. Proteins are the biomolecules that perform most catalytic reactions in cells, but also nucleic acids have been shown to act as catalysts. While RNA enzymes (ribozymes) occur naturally, DNA enzymes (DNAzymes) have not been discovered so far. Here, I will give an overview of our research interest, which focuses on biomolecules – protein enzymes and DNAzymes – that depend on the presence of metal cofactors and perform exciting chemistry. In particular, the 10-23 DNAzyme that has great potential for gene silencing applications and the [FeFe] hydrogenase DdH that is the most active H2-producing biocatalyst.
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