KYROBIO

The discovery, development and demonstration of biocatalysts for use in the industrial synthesis of chiral chemicals

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

The objective of KYROBIO project is to broaden the toolbox of single enantiomer chiral chemicals that are produced by industry in Europe using biotechnological routes. The main target is applications of lyase enzymes to selectively synthesize molecules with multiple chiral centres applying enzymatic carbon-carbon and carbon-nitrogen bond formation as the key technical platforms. We will then apply synthetic biology to improve fermentation processes in order to generate better enzymes. Chiral compounds are an important class of chemicals that biocatalytic transformation has already demonstrated great potential to compete with chemocatalysts in their production with associated benefits that come from reductions in use of organic solvents, toxic metals and energy but application has been relatively limited. KYROBIO will address the main challenges with moving forward to the next generation of added value industrial applications of white biotechnology for high value chemical synthesis. Using a supradisciplinary approach ranging from enzyme development, chemistry, molecular biology, fermentation and innovative isolation techniques the bottlenecks to applying this new technology will be overcome. It is expected that promising candidate chemicals will be commercialised within three years of completion and so scale up with economic and feasibility studies that are also key technology developments. The consortium includes a strong presence of SMEs including SME leadership and also a large multinational company which ensures multiple routes to market for the outcomes of this project. We will also have economic and life cycle analysis coupled with significant dissemination plans to ensure wider understanding of this technology that will lead to increased acceptance and uptake. The use of this environmentally beneficial technology will help to keep the European chemicals industry at the forefront of white biotechnology and increase opportunities in economic and employment.

Introduzione (Teaser)

EU-funded research is providing extremely efficient new biocatalysts for the production of pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. The enzymes will reduce the use of hazardous substances and energy as well as production costs.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Many compounds share the same chemical name (have the same number of the same types of atoms) but have different 3D structures. In particular, chiral compounds are those that are mirror images of each other and the enantiomers are the two different forms. Because structural differences affect function, different enantiomers of the same compound can have different activities as drugs or catalysts of chemical reactions.

Single-enantiomer chiral compounds are an industrially important class of chemicals often used in catalysis. Biocatalysts (enzymes) offer an important alternative to chemical catalysts for reducing the use of organic solvents, toxic metals and energy. Scientists initiated the EU-funded project http://www.kyrobio.eu/ (KYROBIO) to increase the currently limited availability of the lyase class of enzymes that selectively synthesises molecules with multiple chiral centres.

Lyases form chirally pure compounds that are important in the manufacture of high-value pharmaceutical and specialty chemical products. KYROBIO is developing new classes of lyases and the processes required for exploitation. In addition, the consortium is reducing cost barriers by applying synthetic biotechnology to improve fermentation processes for enzyme production.

At the end of the first 30 months of the 4-year project, scientists are delivering on the project's promise with new enzymes and processes together with economic analyses of the catalysed reactions. The developments are supported by a toolbox of techniques, including those related to bioinformatics, molecular modelling, high-throughput enzyme generation and plant transcriptome analyses. These technologies greatly reduce experimental screening of mutants and materials used, simultaneously enabling more effective achievement of targeted properties.

KYROBIO emphasises dissemination of green chemistry to a broad audience of industry leaders, academics, policymakers and the public. Researchers are conducting a vigorous public outreach campaign. A series of networking events, webinars, and public science education and training events have already taken place. The team has also produced numerous publications and online communications.

The novel biocatalysts are targeted for commercialisation within three years of project completion. KYROBIO expects to put the EU at the forefront of efficient, sustainable and eco-friendly chemical production benefiting industry, consumers and the environment.