Future Directions in Biocatalysis

Future Directions in Biocatalysis, Second Edition, presents the future direction and latest research on how to utilize enzymes, i.e., natural catalysts, to make medicines and other necessities for humans. It emphasizes the most important and unique research on biocatalysis instead of simply detailing the ABC’s on the topic.

This book will help new researchers in the field identify specific needs, start new projects that address current environmental concerns, and develop techniques based on green technology. In addition, users will find invaluable hints and clues regarding new research topics using enzymes, with final sections outlining future directions in biocatalysis that further expand the science into new applications.

• Gives future directions in the area of biocatalysis research
• Presents research topics based on their uniqueness, originality, and novelty
• Includes many explanatory figures to demonstrate concepts to both organic chemists and biochemists
• Shows that there is no boundary between organic chemistry and biochemistry

University and industry researchers with their specialties in synthetic organic chemistry, biocatalysis, or enzymology: chemists and chemical engineers, biochemists, researchers in chemical and pharmaceutical industries, plus as a reference book for graduate courses in bioorganic engineering and bioengineering

The new materials to this editions are:

1. X-ray crystal structure determination

2. Simulation for prediction of enzyme functions

Although both of them had existed in 2007, the applications of them to biocatalysis had been limited at that time. Now, they have been widely available and necessary for the development of biocatalysis.

Basically, modifications to the 1st edition will be done.

Now, two contributors agreed to write a chapter.

Prof T. Itoh (Tottori Univ.) agreed to re-write the chapter entitled "Biotransformation in ionic liquid"(Chapter 1 in 1st edition). He also thinks the new editions is necessary, now.

Prof. Yamanaka (Himeji-Dokkyo University) agreed to re-write the chapter entitled "Utilization of light energy for reactions using biocatalysis" (chapter 3 in 1st edition).

I will also write a chapter about utilization of liquid and supercritical CO2 as solvents for biocatalysis.

Part One: Novel reaction conditions for biotransformation

Chapter 1 - Biotransformation in ionic liquid

Chapter 2 - Temperature control of the enantioselectivity in the lipase-catalyzed resolutions

Chapter 3 - Future directions in photosynthetic organisms-catalyzed reactions

Chapter 4 - Catalysis by enzyme-metal combinations

Part Two: Uncomon kind of biocatalytic reaction

Chapter 5 - Biological Kolbe-Schmitt carboxylation: Possible use of enzymes for the direct carboxylation of organic

Chapter 6 - Discovery, redesign and applications of Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases

Chapter 7 - Enzymes in Aldoxime-Nitrile pathway: Versatile tools in biocatalysis

Chapter 8 - Addition of hydrocyanic acid to carbonyl compounds

Part Three: Novel compounds synthesized by biotransformations

Chapter 9 - Chiral heteroatom-containing compounds

Chapter 10 - Enzymatic polymerization

Chapter 11 - Synthesis of naturally occurring β-D-glucopyranosides based on enzymatic β-glucosidation using β-glucosidase from almond

Part Four: Use of molecular biology technique to find novel biocatalyst

Chapter 12 - Future directions in alcohol dehydrogenase-catalyzed reactions

Chapter 13 - Enzymatic decarboxylation of synthetic compounds