Enzymes are natural biocatalysts that are essential for the living cell. Biocatalysis emerged as one of the most promising technologies for greener synthesis of important chemicals.

Our research aims for an enhanced understanding of the biocatalytic transformations using pure enzymes, whole-cells or immobilized biocatalysts. Towards reaching this goal we bridge fundamental chemical principles with biotechnology.

Through transdisciplinary scientific methods we are developing novel biocatalysts and chemo-enzymatic routes for the sustainable generation of compounds of interest and for applications within biopolymer science.

• Biocatalytic versatility of engineered and wild-type tyrosinase from R. solanacearum for the synthesis of 4-halocatechols
  Davis R, Molloy S, Quigley B, Nikodinovic-Runic J, Solano F, O'Connor KE
  Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2018;102(12):5121-5131
• Recent developments in biocatalysis beyond the laboratory
  Narancic T, Davis R, Nikodinovic-Runic J, O' Connor KE
  Biotechnol Lett. 2015; 37(5): 943-954
• Chemoselective biocatalytic reduction of conjugated nitroalkenes: new application for an Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) expression strain
  Jovanovic P, Jeremic S, Djokic L, Savic V, Radivojevic J, Maslak V, Ivkovic B, Vasiljevic B, Nikodinovic-Runic J
  Enzyme Microb Technol. 2014; 60:16-23
• Highly efficient Michael-type addition of acetaldehyde to β-nitrostyrenes by whole resting cells of Escherichia coli expressing 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase
  Narancic T, Radivojevic J, Jovanovic P, Francuski D, Bigovic M, Maslak V, Savic V, Vasiljevic B, O'Connor KE, Nikodinovic-Runic J
  Bioresour Technol. 2013;142:462-468