Biocatalysis is the use of enzymatic reactions in the forms of isolated enzymes or in whole cells to catalyze chemical reactions. The use of enzymatic reactions in chemical production can contribute to greener and cleaner industries. With the catalytic power of enzymes, the process can be operated under mild pH and temperature, and avoid the creation of hazardous intermediates and waste.
Green Chemistry & White Biotechnology
CO 2 emission from industrial processes is one of major factors contributing to global warming and climate change. Many production processes also generate toxic waste that is toxic to human health and environment. Toxic waste treatment processes add significant cost to the manufacturing industry. The use of enzymatic reactions in chemical production can contribute to greener and cleaner industries.
With the catalytic power of enzymes, processes can be operated under mild pH and temperature and without the creation of hazardous intermediates and waste.
Biocatalysis At Vistec
Our research team at VISTEC has a wide range of specialty enzymes including oxygenases, halogenases, dehalogenases, oxidases, reductases, dehydrogenases, aldolases, and hydratases that can catalyze regio- or stereo-specific redox, C-C bond condensation and group addition. These enzymatic reactions are often coupled in the form of cascade reactions to allow cofactor or substrate regeneration to reduce cost in large scale production.
We also study reaction mechanisms and structural features affecting the catalysis of these enzymes. Rational engineering and directed evolution are carried out to create engineered enzymes that perform better than the natural wild-type enzymes for specific tasks.
- Maenpuen S, Tinikul S, Chenprakhon P and Chaiyen P. Production of Valuable Phenolic Compounds from Lignin by Biocatalysis In Emerging Areas in Bioengineering 2017; Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co., in press.
- Pimviriyakul, P., Thotsaporn, K., Sucharitakul, J., Chaiyen, P. Journal of Biological Chemistry 2017; 292 (12), pp. 4818-4832.
- Thotsaporn K, Tinikul R, Maenpuen S, Phonbuppha J, Watthaisong P, Chenprakhon P, and Chaiyen P. Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic 2016; 134, 353–366.
- Dhammaraj T, Pinthong C, Visitsatthawong S, Tongsook C, Surawatanawong P, Chaiyen P. ACS Chem Biol. 2016;11(10):2889-2896.
- Tinikul, R., Chaiyen, P. Structure, mechanism, and mutation of bacterial luciferase Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology 2016, 154, pp. 47-74.
- Visitsatthawong S, Chenprakhon P, Chaiyen P, and Surawatanawong P. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2015; 137(29):9363-74.
- Dhammaraj T, Phintha A, Pinthong C, Medhanavyn D, Tinikul R, Chenprakhon P, Sucharitakul J, Vardhanabhuti N, Jiarpinitnun C, and Chaiyen P. ACS Catalysis 2015; 5:4492–4502.
- Maenpuen S, Amornwatcharapong W, Krasatong P, Sucharitakul J, Palfey BA, Yuthavong Y, Chitnumsub P, Leartsakulpanich U, Chaiyen P. Journal of Biological Chemistry 2015; 290(13):8656-65.
- Wongnate T, Surawatanawong P, Visitsatthawong S, Sucharitakul J, Scrutton NS, Chaiyen P. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2014; 136 (1): pp 241–253.
- Chaiyen P, Fraaije M, Mattevi A. Trends in Biochemical Sciences 2012; 37(9): 373-80.
Dr. Pimchai Chaiyen (Professor)
Dr. Thanyaporn Wongnate (Lecturer)
Dr. Juthamas Jaroensuk (Postdoctoral Research Fellow)
Dr. Panu Pimviriyakul (Postdoctoral Research Fellow)
Ms. Pattarawan Intasian
Ms. Vinutsada Pongsupasa
Mr. Kridsadakorn Prakinee
Ms. Supacha Buttranon
Ms. Pangrum Punthong
Ms. Kittiya Sakdaphetsiri
Mr. Nattanon Akeratchatapan
Ms. Nuttanun Kutrakul
Mr. Thana Thaweeskulchai
Ms. Jittima Phonbuppha
Mr. Pratchaya Watthaisong
Assistant Prof. Dr. Ruchanok Tinikul
Mahidol University
Dr. Pirom Chenprakhon
Mahidol University
Dr. Somchart Maenpuen
Burapha University
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narin Lawan
Chiang Mai University
International Research Collaborator:
Prof. Uwe T. Bornscheuer
University of Greifswald, Germany
Prof. Adrian Mulholland
University of Bristol, UK
Prof. Yasuhisa Asano
Toyama Prefectural University, Japan
Wangchan Valley 555 Moo 1 Payupnai, Wangchan, Rayong 21210 Thailand
