Lecture on Enzymes and Their Applications

Introduction

• Personal anecdote of growing up in Wisconsin and appreciating nature.
• Transition to understanding nature through chemistry, specifically enzymes.

Enzymes in Nature

• Lilacs, Pines, Cranberries, Fireflies: All produce compounds through enzymes.
• Cheese-making:
  • Enzymes from cow, sheep, goat stomachs curdle milk.
  • Key enzyme: Chymosin - binds to casein protein in milk to curdle it (molecular scissors).

Understanding Enzymes

• DNA vs. Enzymes:
  • DNA: Blueprint of life.
  • Enzymes: Proteins that act as catalysts, speeding up reactions.
• Structure:
  • Made of amino acids (20 common types, single-letter abbreviations).
  • Amino acids sequence determines enzyme properties.
  • Fold into complex structures necessary for function.

Enzyme Production and Customization

• Modern techniques allow enzyme production in microbes (e.g., bacteria, yeast).
• Directed Evolution: Custom DNA sequences to create unique enzymes.
  • Nobel Prize 2018 for directed evolution.

Applications of Custom Enzymes

• Laundry Detergent:
  • Enzymes enable washing in cold water, reducing energy usage and CO2 emissions.
  • Process: Starting point enzyme, trial variations, select improved versions.

Future of Enzyme Design

• Machine Learning: Designing enzymes from scratch.
• Unnatural Amino Acids: Creating enzymes with novel properties.
• Impact Areas:
  • Human Health:
    • Treating diseases like PKU with enzyme replacement therapy.
    • Enzyme design in drug production for efficiency and fewer toxic catalysts.
  • Environment:
    • Degrading plastics, creating biodegradable plastics.
    • Capturing greenhouse gases.

Demonstrations

• Chymosin Demo: Showed milk curdling to cheese using chymosin.
• Laundry Enzyme Demo: Illustrated protein breakdown in milk as a proxy for laundry stain removal.

Conclusion

• Enzymes have been used historically and offer potential for innovative uses.
• Encouragement to appreciate enzyme functions in everyday phenomena, like fireflies.
• Enzymes hold promise for future advancements in various fields.