Research

Integrating synthetic biology and synthetic chemistry to expand enzyme catalysis

The Huang Group develops new-to-nature biocatalytic systems for selective and sustainable synthesis. We combine enzyme engineering, visible-light photochemistry, electrochemical redox control, artificial enzyme design, and microbial cell factories to expand the catalytic repertoire of enzymes beyond their natural functions.

Our research focuses on three connected directions. First, we repurpose natural enzymes with light, electricity, and directed evolution to enable non-natural radical and redox transformations. Second, we design artificial enzymes that place new catalytic functions within programmable protein environments. Third, we integrate new-to-nature biocatalysis with engineered biosynthetic pathways to build photobiomanufacturing platforms for scalable production of high-value chiral molecules.

Synthetic biology and synthetic chemistry concept diagram

Research Themes

Three connected ways to expand enzyme catalysis

Theme 01

Repurposing enzymes with light, electricity, and engineering

Natural enzymes are powerful catalysts, but their native reaction scope covers only a fraction of the transformations needed for modern synthesis. We repurpose enzymes for new-to-nature radical and redox chemistry by combining visible-light activation, electrochemical inputs, and protein engineering.

In these systems, light or electricity generates reactive intermediates in or near enzyme active sites, while the protein environment controls reactivity, selectivity, and stereochemical outcome.

Theme 02

Artificial enzyme design

New asymmetric reactions require new chiral catalysts. We design artificial enzymes that place non-natural catalytic functions within programmable protein environments.

By integrating organic mechanism design, protein engineering, structural modeling, and AI-guided design, we aim to build artificial photoenzymes and electroenzymes with tailored reactivity and selectivity.

Theme 03

Photobiomanufacturing

Biomanufacturing uses living cells and enzymes to produce pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, fuels, and other valuable products. We seek to integrate new-to-nature enzymatic reactions with engineered biosynthetic pathways.

By connecting synthetic biology with photobiocatalysis, we aim to develop photobiomanufacturing platforms for scalable and renewable production of high-value chiral molecules and non-natural products.

Research Directions

Experimental platforms and enabling methods

Direction 01

Photobiocatalytic radical catalysis

We use visible light to activate enzymes, cofactors, or enzyme-bound intermediates, enabling radical reactions within chiral protein environments.

Photobiocatalysis Radical chemistry

Direction 02

Electroenzymatic asymmetric synthesis

We couple enzymatic stereocontrol with electrochemical redox inputs to drive selective oxidative transformations.

Electroenzymatic catalysis Redox control

Direction 03

Protein engineering and directed evolution

We redesign enzymes to tune activity, substrate scope, and stereochemical outcomes.

Protein engineering Directed evolution

Direction 04

Synthetic biology and cell factories

We integrate engineered biosynthetic pathways with new-to-nature biocatalysis to build microbial platforms for chiral molecule synthesis.

Synthetic biology Cell factories