Enzyme engineering: rational redesign versus directed evolution.

Enzyme engineering is undergoing the most profound and exciting transformation in its history (1). It promises unprecedented expansion in the scope and applications of modified or improved enzymes with desired physical and catalytic properties. Two complementary strategies are currently available: rational redesign (2-5) and directed evolution (6,7). Although both approaches have met with great success, each has limitations. In this article, the perspectives for these enzyme-engineering strategies are discussed briefly.

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