[SCAN] Metalloenzymes - from biophysics to biosensors

Title: Metalloenzymes - from biophysics to biosensors

Speaker: Célia Silveira 

Affiliation: Raman BioSpectroscopy Lab, ITQB NOVA

Abstract: The use of metalloenzymes as biocatalysts in biosensors, biofuel cells, and bioreactors is at the forefront of current biotechnology research. We investigate the structural and electrocatalytic properties of a number of bacterial redox enzymes as immobilized biocatalysts for use in electrochemical biosensors and for the electrocatalytic degradation of environmental pollutants. Using resonance Raman (RR) and surface-enhanced RR (SERR) spectroscopy, we can identify promising enzyme candidates for biotechnology applications without relying on traditional trial-and-error approaches. Here, we demonstrate how this strategy enabled the construction of an efficient biosensor for H₂O₂ detection, based on dye-decolorizing peroxidases (DyPs), which outperforms devices based on commonly used biocatalysts, like horseradish peroxidase (HRP).