Using the structural information already available, model building and computer graphics, we have designed and are synthesizing helical peptides and proteins that are capable of binding predetermined DNA sequences with specificity.
Enzymes are very efficient in catalyzing reactions.
Hence there is a growing interest in using enzymes as catalysts in organic synthesis. One aspect of the study involves altering the specificity and catalytic properties of enzymes by cassette mutagenesis on synthetic genes that codes for the enzymes and then expressing the respective genes. Another aspect involves raising catalytic antibodies against transition state mimics of specific reactions and using such antibodies to catalyze reactions. The reactions that are currently being explored include stereospecific oxidations, macrolactonizations, glycosidations and peptide synthesis. We are interested in designing organic molecules that act as enzyme mimics.