Enzyme properties

In the end of a directed evolution project (see Directed evolution), the best hits are overexpressed (using SeSaM-Biotech proprietary strains), purified (after an internal, extensivelly validated protocol) and thouroughly characterized for the property they were optimized towards. This step is essential to validate the success of the evolution project.

The properties that we, at SeSaM-Biotech characterize enzymes for are:

• Michaelis-Menten parameters
• two-substrate competition
• inhibition
• substrate promiscuity
• stability in harsh conditions (high temperature, extreme pH values, high salt concentrations, organic solvent resistance etc.)
• etc.

In order to be succesful in the final characterization of the improved enzymes, we use a variety of assays that we develop for the given enzyme. These assays are:

• colorimetric
• fluororimetric
• HPLC
• GC
• TLC
• CD
• etc.