Expression and characterization of the novel oxidase VirH-Ox

By: John Dronzek '14

Advising Faculty: Tanya Schneider

Many clinically used antibiotics are derived from molecules made in nature. The biosynthesis of virginiamycin M is under investigation in this study. Virginiamycin M is valuable as it is an antibiotic with activity against the problematic bacterium methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). This research project is focused on characterizing one enzyme (VirH-Ox) important in catalyzing the production of this antibiotic. Understanding the enzymes critical for the biosynthetic preparation of such bioactive molecules could eventually lead to the novel biosynthesis of pharmaceuticals with improved clinical properties.

Related Fields: Chemistry