Introduction to Biocatalysis: Design Strategies for Chemical Engineers

Biocatalysis is transforming the chemical industry by offering highly selective, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional chemical catalysts. This course introduces you to the core principles of using biological systems—specifically enzymes and microbes—to accelerate chemical reactions. You will transition from understanding basic biochemical mechanisms to analyzing and designing biocatalytic processes suitable for modern industrial applications. In this course, you will: 1. Understand key terminology, enzyme classification, and foundational kinetics of biocatalysis. 2. Analyze the thermodynamics and mechanics of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. 3. Apply systematic design strategies to select and optimize biocatalysts for specific chemical transformations. 4. Evaluate modern enzyme engineering techniques, including basic directed evolution and computational design. 5. Integrate green chemistry principles into industrial biocatalytic process development. 6. Address common engineering challenges such as enzyme stability, cofactor regeneration, and solvent compatibility. You will start by mastering foundational biochemistry definitions and kinetics, then progress through systematic design strategies, and finish by exploring modern computational and evolutionary techniques used to tailor enzymes for industrial performance. This text-only course is designed for chemistry students, chemical engineers, and biotechnology beginners who want a solid conceptual foundation in biocatalysis without needing prior advanced biochemistry knowledge. Start reading today to unlock the potential of green chemistry and modern biocatalytic design.