Material Conversion - Natural and Artificial Enzymes

Biological processes are highly sophisticated but are not driven by unknown and mysterious powers. They occur due to complicated combinations of known chemical reactions. These chemical reactions are conducted by enzymes (biological catalysts), which encourage desirable reactions to occur with high selectivity and efficiency. The application of naturally occurring enzymes to 

As seen in the above-mentioned example, the high efficiency and high selectivity of this enzymatic reaction results from several features, such as the spatial organization of the catalytic site, the cooperative interaction between 

Water-insoluble materials such as hydrophobic polymers can supply hydrophobic interfacial environments. However, molecular assemblies such as micelles and lipid bilayer vesicles are more advantageous, because they supply large surface areas that are in contact with a water phase and more flexible organization. These characteristics are advantageous for substrate incorporation and product release. As explained in Chap. 4, a lipid bilayer provides a more stable hydrophobic environment, while micelles provide more dynamic and less stable assembUes. Structural and orientational control between the 

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Material Conversion - Natural and Artificial Enzymes Enzymes perform highly selective and highly efficient molecular conversion based on sophisticated three-dimensional arrangements of amino acids. Artificial enzyme mimics can be constructed using cyclodextrins and Hpid bilayer membranes. 

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