In our Protein Engineering studies we use site-directed and random mutagenesis based on PCR, molecular modeling and computational bioinformatics studies of structure function relationships. A strategy was developed to obtain complete genes of new enzymes which includes screening by PCR mediated by Consensus-Degenerate Hybrid Oligonucleotide Primers (CODEHOP) and a improved genome walking method. We are continuing our modeling on the “cryophilicity” of cold active enzymes.

Some of our recent developments in Protein Engineering include the development of efficient and stable enzymes for the degradation of plastic materials from microorganisms from the Atacama Desert, Antartica and the Atacama Trench, which have been isolated by us in the last few years. Using bioinformatics tools, we have compared genomes from our collection with gene sequences of known plastic degrading enzymes (PET, PLA, PL) and are expressing these enzymes in E.coli and Pichia. We are identifying the best potential enzymes for each type of plastic and improving their activity through protein engineering and also using metabolic engineering to reuse the products of the plastic degradation.  

We are also carrying out the scale-up of the production of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for their differentiation into Insulin and Glucagon expressing cells for the treatment of diabetes and also producing and expanding such stem cells for the treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency.