This National Science Foundation project grant award of $282,774 supports research into the catalytic strategy of the ethylene-forming enzyme by a collaboration between Michigan State University and Michigan Technological University from September 2022 through August 2025. The award is made through the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049), which aims to advance scientific knowledge and understanding in these fields.
Specifically, the researchers will study the bacterial and fungal ethylene-forming enzyme, which catalyzes the production of ethylene and guanidine through distinct reactions. By examining site-directed variants through biochemical, structural and computational approaches, the team seeks to elucidate the enzyme's catalytic mechanism and create optimized variants for producing the biofuel ethylene or the fertilizer guanidine. Their findings will further understanding of important iron- and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenases and be incorporated into university courses and public science communication. The research supports the program's goals by advancing fundamental knowledge with potential economic and societal impacts.
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