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BPL030 Graphical Abstract

A Biocatalytic Platform for Accelerating Access to Next-Generation Chiral Halogenated Polymers

Soumitra Athavale
Professor
University of California, Los Angeles

Area(s)

Additive Manufacturing
Computation and Data Science
Synthesis and Formulation
Synthetic Biology
Project Number
BPL030
Date

Project Description

We will build an enzymatic platform to produce bio-based enantioenriched acrylamide monomers and demonstrate their utility as chiral, post-functionalizable building blocks for advanced polymers. Leveraging our newly discovered biocatalytic cooperative metal hydrogen atom transfer (BioHAT) mechanism for enzymatic hydrogenation, we will evolve novel biocatalysts for bio-based monomer-synthesis. These will provide access to chiral monomers that polymerize and carry pendant functionalization handles. These monomers enable post-polymerization diversification, graft-from macroinitiators (ATRP), and chiral recognition surfaces, unlocking next-generation optical materials, chiral stationary phases, and functionalized polymer networks. The BioPACIFIC MIP Living BioFoundry provides the automation, analytics, and iteration speed to realize this sustainable route to bio-derived, enantiopure monomers at scale.

Instruments