GoKawiilResearchers use AI protein design to create enantioselective metal photocatalysts
Scientists report using generative protein design to build entirely new protein scaffolds that bind metal polypyridine photocatalysts, which previously lacked natural protein partners capable of enantioselective control. Directed evolution refined these designed proteins into artificial metalloenzymes that perform efficient, highly enantioselective light-driven reactions, including with cheap racemic metal complexes, and support high catalyst turnover and recycling. Spectroscopy showed the protein environment extends the photocatalyst's excited-state lifetime and positions substrates to control stereochemistry.