Immobilization techniques applied to the development of biocatalysts for the synthesis of nucleoside analogue derivatives.

Background: Nucleoside analogue (NAs) derivatives comprise a large family of pharmaceuticals clinically used as antitumoral and antiviral compounds. Originally, the production of NAs involved chemical synthesis, but a greener bioproduction alternative exists and involves the use of enzymes that catalyze transglycosylation reactions between modified purinic or pyrimidinic bases and sugars. To be considered as an option for industrial application, it is vital to immobilize these biocatalysts.