Predicting Compatibility of Network-dependent Enzymes

Many enzymes rely on intracellular protein networks to acquire essential cofactors or modifications. Due to the evolutionary diversification of such protein networks between species, it is not uncommon for network-dependent enzymes to show limited or no activity when expressed within cells of a foreign species. It is currently not possible to predict whether a given enzyme will show activity when expressed in a foreign species, and this presents a major limitation in bioengineering. For instance, biosynthesis of many valuable molecules, such as biofuels, relies on network-dependent enzymes.

In this project, we will use bioinformatics to gain better understanding of the principles that render an enzyme functional or non-functional within a specific biological background. We will work with state-of-the-art AI tools for protein structure prediction, explore 3D structures and dynamical behaviour of proteins, build machine learning models, and more.