Special Research Area (SFB) "Biocatalysis"

In 1993 the Special Research Area (SFB) Biocatalysis was established at Graz University of Technology as the first SFB ("Spezialforschungsbereich") in Austria. This meant a concentration of Austrian biocatalytic research in Graz. What is Biocatalysis? It is the technique which makes use of the special properties of nature's catalysts, enzymes. They are characterized by high selectivities, mild reaction conditions and minimum waste which makes them ideal for solving today's trenchant problems in chemistry, technology and ecology. Major aims of the research: 1. to investigate mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis, 2. to explore possibilities of optimizing catalytic performance 3. to develop systems suitable for practical application. The methods employed are based on classical procedures of chemistry, enzymology, protein chemistry, microbiology, and chemical engineering. In addition, advanced techniques are used to determine the structure of proteins, and to modify their structures either by chemical derivatization or by site-directed mutagenesis. not assigned KP: Institute der Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz not assigned KP: SFB not assigned KP: SFB Biokatalyse