Brandon Dorr (VOIGT LAB)

Evolving Enzymes to Unlock Previously Inaccessible Chemical Space: Brominated Porphyrins

Porphyrins are cyclic molecules reliably created by biology with tunable catalytic and optical properties. However, chemical synthesis challenges limit their industrial application. We work to leverage Porphobilinogen Deaminase and synthetic chemistry to create unnatural porphyrins. Its promiscuity on synthetic substrates is mapped by an in vitro assay with optical and MS readouts. Evolution is pursued to alter PBGD promiscuity. Enzymatic synthesis of porphyrins can improve function and cost-effectiveness of revolutionary optical materials such as non-linear filters.

Jelle van der Hilst (VOIGT & BELCHER LABS)

Cephalopod Lenses: a Route to Bio-inspired Optical Materials

Crystallin lens proteins have high self-assembly and refractive index in vivo, which make them attractive candidates for engineering optical lens materials. In this project we produce crystallins from cephalopods, which have the highest-power lenses found in nature. Here we explore the self-assembly behavior of Lops4 S-crystallin as a route to lenses, as well as chemical methods to make high-RI lenses. To date, no lenses have been produced with recombinant crystallins; this work will explore a route to more sustainable lens production.