9th Annual WML Academic Symposium

Presenter(s): Shane Galvin
Title: Engineering Artificial Metalloproteins for Non-Natural Catalysis
Developed under the guidance of Dr. Evan Reynolds , College of Arts & Sciences

To adapt proteins for chemical synthesis, transition metal complexes have been incorporated into proteins, merging the advantages of synthetic catalysts and proteins. A limitation of this field has been the task of selecting a protein with a suitable scaffold. Recent computational advancements allow for a streamlined selection process. Using this computational method, we have identified several proteins that are suitable candidates for the immobilization of a metal-binding ligand, phenanthroline. By introducing cysteine mutations required for the attachment of this metal complex to the proteins, we will generate synthetic metalloproteins which can be applied toward chemical reactions not found in nature.