The enzyme Bacillus circulans xylanase (Bcx) is a glycosidase that cleaves polymeric xylan (a major constituent in plants) to xylo-oligosaccharides, which are fermentable to ethanol. Our goal is to evolve Bcx to perform novel functions, such as improved hydrolysis and recognition of alternative substrates (i.e. glucose). A selection system was developed for enriching a mutant Bcx enzyme over a population of inactive mutants using phage display technology and a random gene library (directed evolution). Computational (rational) design was also used to mutate Bcx active site residues that will accommodate alternative substrates. 

Utilizing rational and directed evolution strategies for evolving a Glycosidase to a novel function

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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