Synthetic fermentation of bioactive molecules.

Synthetic fermentation of bioactive molecules. Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2018 Apr 05;46:18-24 Authors: Stepek IA, Bode JW Abstract The concept of synthetic fermentation is to 'grow' complex organic molecules in a controlled and predictable manner by combining small molecule building blocks in water-without the need for reagents, enzymes, or organisms. This approach mimics the production of small mixtures of structurally related natural products by living organisms, particularly microbes, under conditions compatible with direct screening of the cultures for biological activity. This review discusses the development and implementation of this concept, its use for the discovery of protease inhibitors, its basis as a chemistry outreach program allowing non-specialists to make and discover new antibiotics, and highlights of related approaches. PMID: 29627458 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Current Opinion in Chemical Biology - Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tags: Curr Opin Chem Biol Source Type: research