Thomas Chemistry Scholars Program | 2009 Thomas Lecture
Lloyd B. Thomas Chemistry Scholars Program
16th Annual Lloyd B. Thomas Chemistry Scholars Lecture
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The MU Department of Chemistry presents the 2009 Lloyd B. Thomas Chemistry Scholars Lecture.
Kendall N. Houk
Saul Winstein Chair in Organic Chemistry
University of California, Los Angeles
Thursday, November 19, 2009
3:30 p.m., 103 Schlundt Hall
Designing New Enzymes
The remarkable acceleration and specificity by enzymes, nature's protein catalysts for most important biological reactions, are understood reasonably well; the lecture will begin with a description of enzymes and how they work. There are enzymes for every biological reaction, but can we create enzymes for reactions that are not involved in life? One of Feynman's famous quotes is relevant: "What I cannot create, I do not understand." In the context of this lecture, if we really understand enzymes, we should be able to create new ones. Such an achievement could also have considerable practical significance. Progress toward designing and synthesizing enzymes for non-natural reactions will be described.
The general public is welcome.
For more information, please contact Michael Harmata, harmatam@missouri.edu or 572-882-1097