The use of enzymes employed either as isolated enzymes, crude protein extracts or whole cells for the transformation of non-natural organic c- pounds is not an invention of the twentieth century: they have been used for more than one hundred years. However, the object of most of the early research was totally different from that of the present day. Whereas the elucidation of biochemical pathways and enzyme mechanisms was the main driving force for the early studies, in contrast it was mainly during the 1980s that the enormous potential of applying natural catalysts to transform non-natural...

The present volume is the first of two planned to provide state-of-the-art expert reviews of central topics in modern natural products chemistry and secondary metabolism. Many scientists not directly involved in these areas still view the field of natural products as focused primarily on the isolation, structure elucidation, and cataloging of new compounds (i. e. grind and find ), or on their chemical synthesis. However, two revolutions in experimental techniques since the early 1950 s have completely transformed the understanding of chemical and biological relationships between highly...

Catalytic procedures are clearly the most economical means to effect selective processes in organic synthesis. For the preparation of enantiomerically pure compounds, the utilization of enzymes is particularly attractive because of high selectivities and mild, environmentally benign reaction conditions. Taking advantage of advances in molecular biology, unique new enzymes are now readily accessible in quantity with properties that are amenable to modification on demand. This volume brings together leading contributors from the forefront of this exciting technology. In their authoritative and...

This volume recapitulates the state of the art in those sectors of bioorganic chemistry that, rather than mimick the natural example, aim to utilize the underlying principles for useful applications.

The first review in this book presents synthetic strategies, biosynthesis and the genetics involved. The second review article, on non-template based multienzyme systems, addresses why polyketides are the most diverse group of natural products, comparing polyketide syntheses with other non-template multienzyme systems. The third review deals with angucycline antibiotics, the largest subgroup of polycyclic aromatic polyketides.

Drug discovery strategies for both pharmaceutical and agrochemical applications are at a stage of rapid development. More than 30 % of sales of drugs for human consumption worldwide are of plant origin. This unique book covers the present status and future potential of natural products in drug discovery. It provides the reader with recent information regarding the impact on drug discovery, development and strategies, technical and automation aspects, and methods based on biochemistry as well as molecular biology, highlighting compounds from natural sources. Special emphasis is placed on the...