[Seminar] "Dynamics and Constraints of Enzyme Evolution" by Prof. Nobuhiko Tokuriki

Speaker: Prof. Nobuhiko Tokuriki, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia,

Title: Dynamics and Constraints of Enzyme Evolution 

Abstract:

The wealth of distinct enzymatic functions found in nature is impressive and the on‐going evolutionary divergence of enzymatic functions continues to generate new and efficient catalysts, which can be seen through the recent emergence of enzymes able to degrade xenobiotics. How have these diverse enzyme functions evolved? Recreating such processes in the laboratory has been met with only moderate success. What are the factors that lead to suboptimal research outputs? I present a series of experimental evolution to evolve enzyme functions in the laboratory to unveil molecular basis underlying functional transitions, e.g., molecular tinkering of active site residues and protein dynamics. I also discuss molecular constraints in enzyme evolution, i.e., molecular properties that determine success and failure in the evolutionary experiments. Finally, I discuss about how we could improve our ability to design and engineer novel proteins and enzymes in the laboratory.

Website: http://www.msl.ubc.ca/faculty/tokuriki