Source: Eurekalert, November 29, 2017
Researchers at Caltech used directed evolution method, where enzymes are evolved in a lab to perform desired functions, to coax the bacteria into making boron-containing compounds. They mutated the DNA that encodes the protein and then put the mutated DNA sequences into thousands of bacterial cells. The DNA of successful mutant proteins was then mutated again, and the cycle was repeated until the bacteria making the proteins were highly proficient at assembling the boron-carbon compounds. Their final bacterial creations were up to 400 times more productive than synthetic chemical processes used for the same reaction. According to the researchers the technique can be used to generate proteins with specific functions. By using biology instead of synthetic processes, researchers can potentially make the chemical compounds in “greener” ways that are more economical and produce less toxic waste… read more.
CAPTION: This is an artist’s interpretation of a scientist introducing boron to the carbon-based chemistry of life. Jennifer Kan, Xiongyi Huang and their team from the Caltech laboratory of Frances Arnold have created bacteria that can make compounds with boron-carbon bonds for the first time.
CREDIT: David Chen and Yan Liang (BeautyOfScience.com) for Caltech