Merging the power of proteins and continuous flow for improved chemical synthesis.

Observing Protein Dynamics: Following the dynamics of protein conformational changes over the relatively long periods of time typical of enzyme kinetics can be challenging. Choi et al. (p. 319 ; see the Perspective by Lu ) were able to observe changes in lysozyme conformation, which changes its electrostatic potential, by using a carbon-nanotube field-effect transistor. Slower hydrolysis steps were compared with faster, but unproductive, hinge motion, and changes in lysozyme activity that occur with pH were shown to arise from differences in the relative amount of time spent in processive versus nonprocessive states.

The separate fields of conducting polymer-based electrochemical sensors and virus-based molecular recognition offer numerous advantages for biosensing. Grafting M13 bacteriophage into an array of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanowires generated hybrids of conducting polymers and viruses. The virus incorporation into the polymeric backbone of PEDOT occurs during electropolymerization via lithographically patterned nanowire electrodeposition. The resultant arrays of virus-PEDOT nanowires enable real-time, reagent-free electrochemical biosensing of analytes in physiologically relevant buffers.

Affinity maturation of receptor–ligand interactions represents an important area of academic and pharmaceutical research. Improving affinity and specificity of proteins can tailor potency for both in vivo and in vitro applications. A number of different display platforms including phage display, bacterial and yeast display, ribosome display, and mRNA display can optimize protein affinity and specificity. Here, we will review the advantages and disadvantages of these molecular display methods with a focus on their suitability for protein affinity maturation.

Recombinant protein overexpression of large proteins in bacteria often results in insoluble and misfolded proteins directed to inclusion bodies. We report the application of shear stress in micrometer‐wide, thin fluid films to refold boiled hen egg white lysozyme, recombinant hen egg white lysozyme, and recombinant caveolin‐1. Furthermore, the approach allowed refolding of a much larger protein, cAMP‐dependent protein kinase A (PKA). The reported methods require only minutes, which is more than 100 times faster than conventional overnight dialysis. This rapid refolding technique could significantly shorten times, lower costs, and reduce waste streams associated with protein expression for a wide range of industrial and research applications.