Researchers: Louis Luk (Cardiff Univeristy, School of Chemistry Lecturer) , Yu-Hsuan Tsai (Shenzhen Bay Laboratory) & Heather Hayes (Cardiff University PhD student)
What inspired you to write this Review article?
We are interested in the biophysical effects of polypeptide cyclisation. Considering the benefits cyclisation can confer (e.g. enhanced stability and activity), we wonder why it is not observed more often in nature. While there is a wealth of cyclisation methods to choose from, the suitability of particular techniques towards specific applications is infrequently discussed. Hence, we wanted to organise our thoughts by summarising the current state-of-the-art in this field.
What primary research are you carrying out in the area?
We have been preparing cyclised biocatalysts with the aim of improving their thermostability and solvent tolerance.
What are your thoughts on the future of this research field?
We believe negative results should also be published. Though it seems less exciting, the scientific community should know that the effect of cyclisation is case-dependent and does not necessarily improve the stability of a protein. By collecting sufficient data (both positive and negative), we may be able to apply AI and deep learning to better predict and design experiments.
Read the full article: Approaches for peptide and protein cyclisation
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