Invention Reference Number
Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have developed a biocatalytic platform to enhance the synthesis of key nylon monomers and related compounds using engineered enzymes. This innovation provides an alternative to traditional chemical methods by leveraging tailored enzyme variants with improved substrate compatibility. The platform offers new pathways for producing polymer precursors under mild conditions, enabling greater efficiency and potential environmental benefits.
Description
The technology involves the construction and screening of a diverse panel of enzyme homologs related to a parent ligase for their ability to catalyze the synthesis of specific polymer building blocks. The team identified and expressed 48 variants, evaluating their performance in converting simple dicarboxylic acids and diamines into desired monomeric products. Several variants significantly outperformed the parent enzyme in both yield and substrate flexibility, demonstrating the ability to accommodate bulkier and structurally diverse inputs. This enzymatic approach broadens the scope of accessible polymer monomers and intermediates, potentially enabling more sustainable nylon production and expanding the range of bio-based materials.
Benefits
- Enhanced catalytic activity for key nylon monomer synthesis
- Broader substrate compatibility including bulkier precursors
- Mild reaction conditions with reduced environmental impact
Applications and Industries
- Sustainable polymer and nylon manufacturing
- Biocatalysis and green chemistry industries
- Specialty materials and advanced composites
Contact
To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.
