Scientists Find Jobs Turning 'Extremozymes' Into Industrial Catalysts
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY: Joan Combie's small company finds microbes in Yellowstone National Park. A small yet growing opportunity exists for biochemists and engineers interested in turning "extremozymes" into industrial catalysts. In nature, these peculiar enzymes fuel microbes that live in scalding sea vents, hot springs, and other adverse locales. Such hardiness means extremozymes might function in hotter, more high-pressure manufacturing conditions than can today's industrial enzymes. As a res
Sep 29, 1996
![]() GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY: Joan Combie's small company finds microbes in Yellowstone National Park. |
Such hardiness means extremozymes might function in hotter, more high-pressure manufacturing conditions than can today's industrial enzymes.
As a result, extremozymes could speed up or maximize reactions used to make food, detergents, and drugs; remediate toxic waste; and drill for oil.
![]() LOOKING DOWNSTREAM: Jay Short sees opportunities for chemists in the engineering phase. |
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