AI4 Enzyme Instructed Catalysis Workshop: May 15, 2023

For more than 20 years, research on enzymes and bio-mimetic catalysis has been conducted. What is the current status of understanding and can we use artificial intelligence to design synthetic catalyst systems that function by the same principles as native enzymes?

In this one day workshop, we will bring together leading experts and early career researchers from chemistry, biology and data science to discuss whether we can use machine learning to unravel open questions with a data-driven approach, learn from native enzyme catalysis and apply this knowledge in the design of novel artificial supramolecular catalysts. We aim to establish new collaborations between the different disciplines, especially bringing together informatics experts such as data scientists with chemists and biologists. Scientific exchange across the fields will be promoted by individual discussions at the poster session, as well as a round-up panel discussion. We aim to answer the questions raised below and we will write a white paper on the outcome of the workshop.

The aim of this symposium is to contribute to the development of novel, sustainable strategies based on enzyme-mimetic catalysis in the fields of renewable energy technologies, chemicals production, and biomedicine. Enzymes are proteins that are able to convert specific substrates at exceptionally high rates and selectivity. One of the key features of enzymes is the selective binding of specific molecules. This basic principle is already achieved in various synthetic systems. Interestingly, enzyme catalysis in itself is not yet fully understood. Open questions remaining are: What are the key factors making enzymes such fast and selective catalysts? What is the role of the protein matrix surrounding the active site? What is the role of protein dynamics in steering the activity and selectivity. How to translate the high selectivity and activity of native enzymes to artificial systems performing new-to-nature reactions of industrial relevance?

In order to advance the understanding of enzyme inspired design of catalysts, including confinement-controlled catalysis, we believe that it is of high importance to move to a data-driven strategy by combining experimental research with artificial intelligence, e.g., machine learning. In recent years, machine learning has attracted increasing attention in the field of enzyme engineering, and we expect that in a similar way also artificial systems can benefit from this approach.

The workshop will create synergy between scientists from chemistry, biology and data science. It will range from experimental and theoretical research on fully biological systems like enzyme cascades, over semi-artificial approaches to purely synthetic catalysts, and include computational modelling and prediction methods based on machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Register here!

Registration fee:

€ 40,-, including lunch

Registration deadline:

May 7, 2023

Poster abstract submission deadline:

April 15, 2023