Publications by authors named "Nathaniel Kuch"
Article Synopsis
- Mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful tool for detecting chemical species but has limitations in processing speed, which can be improved by integrating it with microfluidics.
- The Drop-NIMS platform combines a microfluidic device with a unique MS technique that allows for the random mixing of droplets to create a library of enzymatic reactions directly on the NIMS surface, minimizing handling.
- This method was successfully used to quickly screen low-volume enzymatic reactions, identifying various glycoside hydrolases relevant to industries like food and biofuels, demonstrating its versatility and ease of use for analyzing small molecule metabolites.
Enzymatic deconstruction of lignocellulosic biomass is crucial to establishment of the renewable biofuel and bioproduct economy. Better understanding of these enzymes, including their catalytic and binding domains, and other features offer potential avenues for improvement. Glycoside hydrolase family 9 (GH9) enzymes are attractive targets because they have members that exhibit exo- and endo-cellulolytic activity, processivity of reaction, and thermostability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnzymes selectively hydrolyze the carbohydrate fractions of lignocellulosic biomass into corresponding sugars, but these processes are limited by low yields and slow catalytic turnovers. Under certain conditions, the rates and yields of enzymatic sugar production can be increased by pretreating biomass using solvents, heat and dilute acid catalysts. However, the mechanistic details underlying this behavior are not fully elucidated, and designing effective pretreatment strategies remains an empirical challenge.
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