Recent advances in nanostructured biocatalysts

Recent years have witnessed a renaissance in the field of chemically re-engineering of enzymes to obtain highly selective and efficient biocatalysts for catalyzing processes under various conditions. The incorporation of enzyme into nanostructured materials is particularly noteworthy from a structural perspective since there are unprecedented opportunities in such systems to establish suitable microenvironments for chosen enzymes. This review summarizes recent developments in the nanostructured biocatalyst with emphasis on those formed with polymers. Based on the synthetic procedures employed, the established methods are grouped into three major categories-"grafting onto", "grafting from", and "self-assembly". The merits of the methods in enhancing enzyme stability at adverse conditions and their potential for large-scale preparation and the use of the nanostructured biocatalysts are discussed. The molecular fundamentals underlying each method are highlighted, and the use of molecular simulation as a tool for the design and application of nanostructured biocatalysts, although at a nascent stage, is presented. Finally, the problems encountered with nanostructured biocatalysts are discussed together with the future prospects of such systems. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.