Enzyme catalysis unravelled in new research

New research by the School of Chemistry has significantly advanced our understanding of how enzymes (proteins) increase the rate of chemical reaction. Now potentially able to achieve greater control of enzyme action, this will clear the way for scientists to design new enzymes with important implications in a range of industries, and to develop new anti-infective and anti-cancer drugs. Enzymes are fundamental to life. They are proteins that catalyse chemical reactions, for example in metabolic processes such as the release of energy from foods, and in cell growth and repair. Often, they increase reaction rates by several trillion times. In addition to their presence in nature, they find uses in industries such as food, cosmetics, detergents, pharmaceuticals and chemical manufacturing. Understanding exactly how enzymes increase reaction rates - typically much more effectively and under more environmentally friendly conditions than artificial catalysts - is an important goal in biotechnology.