March 2021: Hot Paper on ‘alcohol aminase’ enzymes is cover feature of Chemistry–A European Journal

Our research features on the cover of Chemistry–A European Journal. The “Hot Paper” reports on the generation of oxidoreductases that possess both alcohol dehydrogenase and amine dehydrogenase activity. This opens up new opportunities in biocatalytic organic synthesis. Abstract The l‐lysine‐ϵ‐dehydrogenase (LysEDH) from Geobacillus stearothermophilus naturally catalyzes the oxidative deamination of the ϵ‐amino group of l‐lysine. We previously engineered this enzyme […]

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November 2020: Granted research proposal on ‘Enzymatic Depolymerisation of Synthetic Polymers’ (EnDeP)

The HIMS-Biocat and the Analytical Chemistry groups of the Van’ t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences were granted 265 k€ by TKI Chemie–Holland Chemistry for a joined proposal on the enzymatic depolymerisation of synthetic polymers. The project will be run in collaborations with the industrial partners DSM Coating Resins B.V. and InnoSyn B.V.. The project […]

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April 2020-2: Another study with ω-transaminases in neat organic solvents

Following our previous work on the use of ω-transaminases that were immobilised on functionalised controlled-porosity glass beads and operated in organic solvents (see March 2020), we investigated the applicability of the immobilised biocatalyst in a parallel interconnected kinetic asymmetric transformation (PIKAT). PIKAT is a cascade in which one or two enzymes use the same cofactor […]

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April 2020-1: Accessing pharmaceutically relevant (S)-configured α-chiral amines via kinetic resolution with an amine dehydrogenase

In our previous work (see news of August 2019), we have created new amine dehydrogenase enzymes (AmDHs) by exploiting the protein scaffold of the (ε-deaminating) L-lysine dehydrogenase enzyme (LysEDH) from Gebacillus stearothermophillus. In this new work, one of these engineered NADH‐dependent amine dehydrogenases (LE‐AmDH‐v1) was applied together with a NADH‐oxidase from Streptococcus mutans (NOx) for […]

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March 2020: Synthesis of chiral amines in neat organic solvents using immobilised enzymes in a continuous flow reactor

The HIMS-Biocat group presents the first account of applying immobilised ω-aminotransferase enzymes in neat organic solvents and continuous flow system. In a recent paper in the journal Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis, we describe how we achieve high yields in the synthesis of α-chiral amines using this methodology. The paper has been designated as a Very […]

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November 2019: Regio- and stereo-selective multi-enzymatic synthesis of chiral phenylpropanolamines

In this work, we have harnessed the potential of the ADH-AmDH (dual-enzyme) hydrogen-borrowing amination for the regio- and stereoselective amination of 1-phenylpropane-1,2-diol (3). Furthermore, the selective alcohol bio-amination was integrated in a multi-enzymatic route that starts from easily available β-methylstyrene substrate (1). This enzymatic route for the formal aminohydroxylation of β-methylstyrene consumes only dioxygen, ammonia […]

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August 2019: The birth of a new family of amine dehydrogenases

By means of structural-guided protein engineering, researchers from the Biocatalysis group at the University of Amsterdam’s Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular (HIMS) have created a new family of amine dehydrogenase enzymes (AmDHs) with unprecedented catalytic properties. The new enzymes are an important addition to the current enzyme toolbox for the synthesis of chiral amines. They are particularly relevant for the synthesis of key intermediates in the production of important pharmaceuticals, rendering their production more chemically efficient and sustainable.

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July 2019: Biocatalytic synthesis of chiral amines from racemic alcohols in vivo

The HIMS-Biocat group presents the first account of engineering an Escherichia coli strain for the in vivo conversion of racemic alcohols into α-chiral amines through the heterologous co-overexpression of alcohol dehydrogenases and an amine dehydrogenase. The paper has been published in the RSC journal, Green Chemistry. α-Chiral amines are pivotal building blocks for chemical manufacturing. […]

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April 2019: General public press on ‘Sustainable Synthesis of Chiral Amines’

The HIMS-Biocat group provides a perspective to a wider audience on the importance of developing sustainable methods for the synthesis of chiral amines. The impact of our research programme, funded by the European Research Council (ERC), in this context is highlighted. This perspective has been published in the European dissemination magazine The Project Repository Journal. […]

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March 2019: A mechanistic study on amine dehydrogenases published in ChemBioChem

The one-step enzymatic synthesis of secondary and tertiary amines starting from ketones or aldehydes is a highly desirable, but also challenging chemical transformation. Amine dehydrogenases (AmDHs) catalyze the reductive amination of carbonyl-containing compounds using free ammonia to yield α-chiral primary amines with elevated atom economy and, very often, perfect stereoselectivity.

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February 2019: Highly efficient production of chiral amines in batch and continuous flow

Continuous flow biocatalysis has become increasingly popular over the past few years because it combines the intrinsic selectivity of enzymes with easy-to-use and scalable flow systems in order to enable the gram-scale production of high-value chemicals. Continuous flow biocatalysis is often performed upon immobilization of isolated enzymes. The main advantages of this approach include recyclability […]

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January 2019: An enzymatic method for the selective demethylation of oleuropein

Virgin olive oil (VOO), a primary component of the Mediterranean diet, represents a very important agricultural product because of its economic value and healthy properties. Numerous studies suggest that the regular consumption of virgin olive oil — rich in phenol and flavonoids — reduces the incidence of pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases or diabetes in […]

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December 2018: Dr. Bert L. Schram award to Jan Vilím at Chains 2018

At the 6th edition of the Dutch National Chemistry Conference (CHAINS 2018), The Netherlands Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NVBMB) in collaboration with ESCOM foundation sponsored the Dr. Bert L. Schram award for the best lecture in the field of biochemistry and/or molecular biology. The prize was divided among four early stage researchers. Jan […]

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October 2018-2: HIMS-Biocat research showcased to EU general public

HIMS-Biocat research programme, funded by the European Research Council (ERC), has been showcased on the European dissemination magazine Open Access Government. “Molecular science: The importance of sustainable manufacturing of chiral amines” Open Access Government, October 2018, pages 180-181, ISSN 2516-3817. Download to full article (open access): OpenAccessGovernment_article Link to complete magazine issue (open access)

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October 2018: Promiscuous activity of enzyme enables efficient and benign synthesis of nitriles

The first report of a direct enzymatic transformation of alcohols to nitriles We have discovered an unexpected catalytic promiscuity of the enzyme galactose oxidase and utilized this to develop a one-pot enzymatic transformation of alcohols into nitriles under mild, cyanide-free conditions. A patent has been applied and we published our results in the renowned journal […]

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August 2018: Front Cover in Green Chemistry

We have developed the first viable biocatalytic ‘green’ process for the chemoselective oxidation of aldehydes into carboxylic acids. Publication details: Knaus Tanja, Tseliou Vasilis, Humphreys Luke, Scrutton Nigel & Mutti Francesco. Green Chemistry 20, 3931-3943 (2018). A biocatalytic method for the chemoselective aerobic oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids. DOI: 10.1039/C8GC01381K Details: The oxidation of aldehydes […]

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July 2018: HIMS-Biocat research showcased to EU general public

HIMS-Biocat research programme, funded by the European Research Council (ERC), has been showcased on the European dissemination magazine EU Research. “Sustainability is an increasingly prominent issue in the chemical industry, as researchers seek to develop new methods of producing key compounds that don’t depend on the use of fossil based resources. Dr Francesco Mutti tells […]

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April 2018-2: HIMS-Biocat celebrating a Front Cover in ChemBioChem!

A genetically fused styrene monooxygenase for asymmetric epoxidation The styrene monooxygenase (SMO) system from Pseudomonas sp. consists of two distinct proteins: a reductase (StyB) and an epoxidase (StyA) that work in tandem. Flavin-dependent StyB catalyses the reduction of FAD at the expense of NADH while StyA is the epoxidation unit. After the transfer of FADH2 […]

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April 2018: Open position for 1 Post-Doctoral Researcher

1 Post-doc position in “Developing Hybrid Electro-biocatalysts” is available for 1 year to carry out a project in collaboration between the Biocatalysis group and the Electrocatalysis group at HIMS-UvA. For more information and submission of the application, please refer to the portal of the University of Amsterdam

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January 2018-2: Second generation biocatalytic hydrogen-borrowing amination published in ChemCatChem

Amines, and in particular α-chiral amines, are important intermediates for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, fine chemicals and agrochemicals. Structurally simpler amines are also of interest for the manufacture of polymers, dyestuffs, pigments and other materials. Alcohols are accessible precursors for the synthesis of (chiral) amines. However, the asymmetric amination of alcohols is a […]

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January 2018-1: Towards new green chemistry using enzymes and light

Combining photocatalysis and biocatalysis for selective functionalization of carbon-hydrogen bonds Chemists at the Biocatalysis group of the University of Amsterdam’s Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) have contributed to research that potentially renders the synthesis of certain pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and agrochemicals much simpler, cheaper and more sustainable. The results of this international project, […]

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October 2017: Two new publications by HIMS-Biocat

The HIMS-Biocat group is currently engaged, among the others, in a project funded by the European Research Council (ERC), whose aim is the design and development of efficient biocatalytic cascades and biosynthetic pathways for the sustainable production of amines. Following our break-through publication in Science on the dual-enzyme hydrogen-borrowing amination of alcohols and the further […]

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October 2016: A high-capacity glove box system from Belle Technology installed at HIMS-Biocat

The HIMS-Biocat group possesses state of the art equipment for research across chemical and biological sciences. We have recently added to our lab a new high capacity glove box. This equipment will allow us to study the properties of new enzymes that operate under anaerobic conditions. The glove box was produced by the engineers of […]

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June 2016: HRSMC Fellowship to the HIMS-Biocat group

Dr. Alejandro Orden has obtained a fellowship from the Holland Research School of Molecular Chemistry (HRSMC) to carry out six months research in our group. The project is in collaboration with the Organic Chemistry group at our institute (Dr. M. Ángeles (Tati) Fernández-Ibáñez). The project aims at developing new artificial metalloenzymes capable of promoting the […]

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May 2016: Open position for Research Technician

The Biocatalysis group is recruiting a Research Technician for supporting an exciting research programme that is funded by the European Research Council (ERC) – BioSusAmin and two other NWO grants (Sector Plan on Physics and Chemistry and NWO-echo). For more information and submission of the application, please refer to the portal of the University of […]

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January 2016-2: ‘Better than Nature’ compounds presented in the Journal of the American Chemical Society

Our group has contributed at a study on a range of synthetic biomimetic compounds that can replace the relatively expensive natural NADH and NADPH coenzymes in enzymatic conversions of industrial relevance. In the Journal of the American Chemical Society Tanja Knaus, Caroline Paul et al. show the great potential of their biomimetics in extensive studies […]

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January 2016-1: Publication in Angewandte Chemie Int. Ed.

The implementation of a one-pot multi-enzyme cascade in a single bacterial whole cell system has been recently published in Angewandte Chemie Int. Ed. (DOI: 10.1002/anie.201510028). In this research, a P450 monooxygenase, an alcohol dehydrogense and an omega-transaminase have been cloned in the same host organism to carry out the formal regio- and stereoselective amination of […]

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December 2015: Highlight on our research in Nature Chemistry and Synfacts

Dr. Jian-bo Wang and Professor Manfred T. Reetz from the “Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung” in Mülheim (Germany) have highlighted our “biocatalytic hydrogen-borrowing amination of alcohols” in the section News and Views of the December issue of Nature Chemistry (Nature Chem. DOI:10.1038/nchem.2408). Additionally, the Editorial Board of Synfacts has selected our publication for its important insights and […]

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October 2015: Spotlight on our research from the Dutch press

Description: Our novel dual-enzyme hydrogen-borrowing methodology for the amination of alcohols (Science, DOI: 10.1126/science.aac9283) has attracted the interested of the Dutch public opinion. In particular Kennislink.nl and Duurzaan have nicely summarised our research achievements in a way that is easily understandable for non scientists.  

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September 2015: Publication in Science

New bio-inspired chemistry for sustainable amine synthesis Publication in Science; patent filed; A new biocatalytic conversion route published this week in Science holds a promise for a cleaner and more efficient industrial synthesis of amines which are important chemical starting materials for the manufacture of products as diverse as medicines and plastics. The new sustainable […]

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