Research @ Bio-Organic Chemistry Lab
- Biocatalysis and Enzyme Mechanism
- Omega -3 fatty acids
- Biomolecular interaction with organometalic complexes
We have been working on biotransformations using the yeast, Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330. This microbe catalyses a variety of organic reactions such as asymmetric reduction, deracemization and oxidation of a broad spectrum of substrates. Biocatalysts are stereo-, regio- and enantioselective. Thus, by optimizing the reaction parameters, we produce a variety of chiral molecules with high optical purity. These chiral molecules are used as key intermediates in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and fine chemicals.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) like Alpha Linolenic acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) is clinically significant. All these are omega 3 fatty acids. Traditional source of these fatty acids, fish oil has unpleasant odor and runs the risk of contamination. This is currently being replaced by microbial sources. Thraustochytrium sp. contains large quantities of DHA in its total lipid and thus serves to be a potential source of DHA for commercial production. In our current research, we have screened many strains and identified a Thraustochytrium sp. with high content of DHA.
Organic compounds incorporating carbon-lanthanum bonds are called organolanthanide complexes. They have attracted much attention because of their tunable structures, thermal stabilities and potential applications in medical field as functional materials. Our research is aimed at the development and study of organolanthanide complexes for their interaction with biomolecules (DNA, Protein, etc.). Presently we are working on design and synthesis of some novel terpyridine and chalcone skeletons based organic ligand molecules, which can form the complex with lanthanum ions more effectively. Furthermore, we are studying the interaction of all the prepared ligands and complexes with DNA and protein molecules.
