Enzyme Immobilization 2016

Dear Colleagues,

After the success of the first Special Issue edited by Molecules in 2014, I am very happy to announce the launching of a second issue on this topic. The immobilization of enzymes and proteins is a seemingly ancient research area that still attracts great interest. The initial interest in enzyme immobilization was motivated by a desire to simplify the reuse of these expensive biocatalysts. Nowadays, the research in this area has focused in its application to overcome many enzyme limitations, for example improving enzyme stability, activity, selectivity or specificity, reducing inhibition problems, and even coupling immobilization and purification.

Two years after the publication of the first issue in May 2014, where many interesting immobilization protocols were reported, still the control of the orientation of the enzyme on the support surface and of the intensity of the support-enzyme interactions is not properly solved. Coupling of genetic and chemical tools has been utilized to produce enzymes that may be better immobilized on tailor made supports. Each day more researches couple immobilization to any other strategy for enzyme stabilization and enhancement of their properties.

Thus, the efforts to design strategies involving the coupled use of immobilization with microbiological (e.g., the use of thermophilic enzymes), chemical or genetic modifications are of special interest. Enzymes are co-immobilized to catalyze cascade reactions; however, this process may produce additional complications, no always co-immobilization will be recommended. This Special Issue invites submissions (i.e., research or review papers) discussing the design of new immobilization protocols, especially when the control of the enzyme orientation is intended by design of the support, or modification of the enzyme. The use of the immobilized enzymes to take advantage of the catalytic improved properties will be also suitable for this second special issue. Papers related to the modification of immobilized enzymes, or to the modification of the support surface after enzyme immobilization, are also welcome.

Dr. Roberto Fernandez-Lafuente
Guest Editor

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