Ayana Bhaskaran

Ayana Bhaskaran

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Ayana Bhaskaran

Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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3 April 2020 in Science Advances
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MNMitchell D. Nothling
Mitchell D. Nothling
ZXZeyun Xiao
Zeyun Xiao
NHNicholas S. Hill
Nicholas S. Hill
MBMitchell Tabrum Blyth
Mitchell Tabrum Blyth
ABAyana Bhaskaran
Ayana Bhaskaran
LCLuke A. Connal
Luke A. Connal
The remarkable power of enzymes to undertake catalysis frequently stems from their grouping of multiple, complementary chemical units within close proximity around the enzyme active site. Motivated by this, we report here a bioinspired surfactant catalyst that incorporates a variety of chemical functionalities common to hydrolytic enzymes. The textbook hydrolase active site, the catalytic triad, is modeled by positioning the three groups of the triad (-OH, -imidazole, and -CO2H) on a single, trifunctional surfactant molecule. To support this, we recreate the hydrogen bond donating arrangement of the oxyanion hole by imparting surfactant functionality to a guanidinium headgroup. Self-assembly of these amphiphiles in solution drives the collection of functional headgroups into close proximity around a hydrophobic nano-environment, affording hydrolysis of a model ester at rates that challenge α-chymotrypsin. Structural assessment via NMR and XRD, paired with MD simulation and QM calculation, reveals marked similarities of the co-micelle catalyst to native enzymes.

1 May 2021 in Polymer
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
ABAyana Bhaskaran
Ayana Bhaskaran
HAHeather M. Aitken
Heather M. Aitken
ZXZeyun Xiao
Zeyun Xiao
MBMitchell Tabrum Blyth
Mitchell Tabrum Blyth
MNMitchell D. Nothling
Mitchell D. Nothling
LCLuke A. Connal
Luke A. Connal