THE dream of making enzymes to order has come a step closer with a computer
program that has designed one that catalyses a simple chemical reaction. In
future, such programs could be used to custom-build proteins that function as
enzymes to get rid of a particularly nasty type of toxic waste, for example, or
to break down fat. Ultimately, they might even make improved versions of the
enzymes in our bodies.
A protein molecule will only function as an enzyme if it is folded into
exactly the right shape to catalyse a particular chemical reaction. This makes
it hard to…
