Enzyme Design, Engineering and Applications in Efficient Biocatalysis

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Biocatalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 624

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
Interests: enzyme design; biocatalysis; synthetic biology; pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
Interests: enzyme design; biocatalysis; synthetic biology; pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Enzyme design and engineering have emerged as transformative drivers in efficient biocatalysis, revolutionizing the landscape of sustainable chemical synthesis. Notably, the precise modulation of enzyme structure and function–enabled by advances in (semi) rational and computational design–has overcome inherent limitations such as poor stability, narrow substrate scope, and low catalytic efficiency, unlocking vast industrial potential. To date, thousands of engineered enzymes have been developed for diverse catalytic reactions, and the field continues to expand at an accelerating pace, standing as one of the most vibrant and impactful areas in modern biotechnology.

Efficient biocatalysis plays an increasingly indispensable role in green manufacturing, offering remarkable advantages, including high chemo-, regio-, and enantioselectivity, mild reaction conditions, and minimal environmental footprint, compared to traditional chemical catalysis. Over the past two decades, engineered enzymes have been widely applied in key sectors such as pharmaceutical synthesis, fine chemical production, food processing, and bioremediation. The inherent sustainability, recyclability, and specificity of engineered enzymes make them superior catalysts for addressing global challenges in sustainable development.

This Special Issue covers all aspects of enzyme-related biocatalysis, including enzyme design principles, engineering methodologies, structural–functional characterization, and practical applications in molecular transformations. Both original research articles reporting novel findings and comprehensive review papers/perspectives summarizing cutting-edge progress in the field are warmly welcome.​

The primary area of focus spans a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary research, centering on the integration of enzyme design, engineering, and efficient biocatalysis to address real-world challenges in sustainable production and biotechnology.

Prof. Dr. Xiaoling Tang
Dr. Xue Cai
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • enzyme design
  • biocatalysis
  • synthetic biology
  • pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 2533 KB  
Article
Oxytetracycline Removal in a PLA-Immobilized Laccase Bioreactor: Experimental Evaluation and Diffusion–Convection–Reaction Modeling
by Paula Garín, Humberto Brito, Isabel Cáceres and Carola Bahamondes
Catalysts 2026, 16(5), 398; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16050398 - 30 Apr 2026
Viewed by 296
Abstract
This work presents a novel integrative approach to the design and computational modeling of a bioreactor system for the enzymatic removal of antibiotics from aquatic environments. The study focuses on a three-dimensional mathematical model developed to resolve the diffusion–convection–reaction dynamics within the system. [...] Read more.
This work presents a novel integrative approach to the design and computational modeling of a bioreactor system for the enzymatic removal of antibiotics from aquatic environments. The study focuses on a three-dimensional mathematical model developed to resolve the diffusion–convection–reaction dynamics within the system. Programmed in MATLAB R2025a, the model integrates theoretical equations to determine the diffusion and convection coefficients, while the reaction rate constant was precisely determined through the experimental degradation data of oxytetracycline. To support this modeling, laccase was covalently immobilized on a chemically modified polylactic acid (PLA) matrix, achieving a 95.6% immobilization yield. Simulation results revealed that the system is primarily governed by the convection constant and that degradation efficiency is significantly optimized by reducing the reactor’s internal diameter. These findings demonstrate that the coupling of theoretical transport phenomena with experimentally derived kinetics provides a high-resolution tool for predicting bioreactor performance. By combining biocatalysis, materials science, and computational modeling, this research offers a scalable and environmentally friendly solution with direct implications for the development of advanced water treatment technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enzyme Design, Engineering and Applications in Efficient Biocatalysis)
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