Trigger radicals
Generate reactive radical species using visible light, photocatalysts, or electrochemical inputs under mild conditions.
Research
Engineering enzymes to control radical chemistry with light and electricity
The Huang Group develops new-to-nature biocatalytic systems by combining enzyme active-site control with visible-light excitation, electrochemical redox inputs, and protein engineering.
Photoenzymatic catalysis
Electroenzymatic catalysis
Directed evolution
Core Concept
From redox activation to stereocontrol
Our work asks how enzymes can be repurposed to access radical reactivity while preserving the selectivity that makes biocatalysis powerful.
Confine reactivity
Position reactive intermediates within enzyme active sites, where orientation, proximity, and microenvironment can be controlled.
Control selectivity
Use rational design and directed evolution to tune activity, substrate scope, and stereochemical outcomes.
Research Directions
Integrating synthetic biology with synthetic chemistry
Photoenzymatic radical catalysis
Using visible light to unlock radical reactivity within enzyme active sites.
Photoenzymatic catalysis
Radical chemistry
Electroenzymatic asymmetric synthesis
Using electrochemical redox control to drive selective enzymatic transformations.
Electroenzymatic catalysis
Redox control
Protein engineering and directed evolution
Redesigning enzymes to tune activity, substrate scope, and stereochemical outcomes.
Protein engineering
Directed evolution
Synthetic biology and cell factories
Combining new-to-nature biocatalysis with engineered biosynthetic pathways.
Synthetic biology
Cell factories
Research Vision
New catalytic functions for sustainable molecular synthesis
By connecting mechanistic insight, protein structure, and synthetic utility, we aim to turn new-to-nature enzymatic transformations into reliable tools for the construction of chiral molecules.