State-of-the-Art Biocatalysis

The use of enzyme-mediated reactions has transcended ancient food production to the laboratory synthesis of complex molecules. This evolution has been accelerated by developments in sequencing and DNA synthesis technology, bioinformatic and protein engineering tools, and the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of scientific research. Biocatalysis has become an indispensable tool applied in academic and industrial spheres, enabling synthetic strategies that leverage the exquisite selectivity of enzymes to access target molecules. In this Outlook, we outline the technological advances that have led to the field's current state. Integration of biocatalysis into mainstream synthetic chemistry hinges on increased access to well-characterized enzymes and the permeation of biocatalysis into retrosynthetic logic. Ultimately, we anticipate that biocatalysis is poised to enable the synthesis of increasingly complex molecules at new levels of efficiency and throughput.

Automated summary

Enzyme-mediated reactions have moved beyond ancient food production to laboratory synthesis of complex molecules, driven by advancements in sequencing, DNA synthesis, bioinformatics, protein engineering, and interdisciplinary research. Biocatalysis has become essential in both academic and industrial settings, offering precise selectivity for accessing target molecules. The future of biocatalysis lies in integrating well-characterized enzymes into mainstream synthetic chemistry to enhance efficiency and throughput in synthesizing increasingly complex molecules.