Protein Engineering

Description

Protein engineering is the process of developing useful or valuable proteins. It is a young discipline, with much research taking place into the understanding of protein folding and recognition for protein design principles. It is also a product and services market, with an estimated value of over $168 billion. Proteins are the most versatile macromolecules in living systems and serve crucial functions in essentially all biological processes. They function as catalysts, they transport and store other molecules such as oxygen, they provide mechanical support and immune protection, they generate movement, they transmit nerve impulses, and they control growth and differentiation. Much of this book will focus on understanding what proteins do and how they perform these functions.
There are two general strategies for protein engineering, ‘rational’ protein design and directed evolution. These techniques are not mutually exclusive; researchers will often apply both. In the future, more detailed knowledge of protein structure and function, as well as advancements in high-throughput technology, may greatly expand the capabilities of protein engineering.
In this book the subject is presented in a very systematic manner. Simple language is used along with diagrams/illustrations to emphasise reaction. Emphasis is placed on the correlation of the structure of functional group with its properties.