Nanobiotechnology

When designing a complex enzymatic synthesis process, it is ideal to combine all related enzymes catalyzing the individual reactions in a given sequence in one pot. However, in such cascades incompatibilities between individual reactions are no exception. Enzymes may be inactivated or inhibited by substrates or products, or may need quite different reaction conditions. We try to solve this problem by a nanotechnological concept: By applying nano-scale enzyme membrane reactors with highly selective permeability of their membranes, a spatial separation of incompatible reactions via compartmentalization becomes possible.

As reaction compartments, vesicles formed from amphiphilic block polymers, so-called polymersomes, will be utilized. These vesicles typically have diameters of around 100 nm, are of substantial stability and exhibit low permeability for most substances. Thus, by inserting natural or artificial channel proteins, a highly selective mass transfer can be implemented. This way the construction of polymersomes with optimal properties for specific applications becomes possible.