Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel biocatalytic process for the stereoselective preparation of alpha amino amide compounds catalyzed by NHase enzymes. A further aspect of the invention relates to novel NHase enzymes as well as further improved NHase enzyme mutants, nucleic acid molecules encoding these enzymes, recombinant microorganisms suitable for preparing such enzymes and mutants. Another aspect of the invention relates to a chemo-biocatalytic process for the preparation of lactam compounds comprising the new catalytic process for the preparation of alpha amino amide compounds catalyzed by NHase enzymes, as well as the chemical oxidation of the alpha amino amide by applying certain chemical oxidation catalysts suitable for converting the alpha amino amide under retention of its stereochemical configuration to the respective lactam. The novel chemo-biocatalytic process is particularly suited for the synthesis of valuable pharmaceutical compounds, like in particular (S)-Levetiracetam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to regio- and stereoselective hydration of oleic acid derivatives, including esters of oleic acid, by action of modified oleate hydratase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the enzymatic synthesis of enantiomerically enriched (R)-amines of general formula [1][c] from the corresponding ketones of the general formula [1][a] by using novel transaminases. These novel transaminases are selected from two different groups: either from a group of some 20 proteins with sequences as specified herein, or from a group of proteins having transaminase activity and isolated from a microorganism selected from the group of organisms consisting of Rahnella aquatilis, Ochrobactrum anthropi, Ochrobactrum tritici, Sinorhizobium morelense, Curtobacterium pusiffium, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Microbacterium ginsengisoli, Microbacterium trichothecenolyticum, Pseudomonas citronellolis, Yersinia kristensenii, Achromobacter spanius, Achromobacter insolitus, Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium frederiksbergense, Mycobacterium sacrum, Mycobacterium fluoranthenivorans, Burkhoideria sp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the enzymatic synthesis of enantiomerically enriched (R)-amines of general formula [1][c] from the corresponding ketones of the general formula [1][a] by using novel transaminases. These novel transaminases are selected from two different groups: either from a group of some 20 proteins with sequences as specified herein, or from a group of proteins having transaminase activity and isolated from a microorganism selected from the group of organisms consisting of Rahnella aquatilis, Ochrobactrum anthropi, Ochrobactrum tritici, Sinorhizobium morelense, Curtobacterium pusiffium, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Microbacterium ginsengisoli, Microbacterium trichothecenolyticum, Pseudomonas citronellolis, Yersinia kristensenii, Achromobacter spanius, Achromobacter insolitus, Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium frederiksbergense, Mycobacterium sacrum, Mycobacterium fluoranthenivorans, Burkhoideria sp., Burkhoideria tropica, Cosmospora episphaeria, and Fusarium oxysporum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the enzymatic synthesis of enantiomerically enriched (R)-amines of general formula [1][c], from the corresponding ketones of general formula [1][a], by using novel transaminases. These novel transaminases are selected from two different groups: either from a group of some 20 proteins with sequences as specified herein, or from a group of proteins having transaminase activity and isolated from a microorganism selected from the group of organisms consisting of Rahnella aquatilis, Ochrobactrum anthropi, Ochrobactrum tritici, Sinorhizobium morelense, Curtobacterium pusilllum, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Microbacterium ginsengisoli, Microbacterium trichothecenolyticum, Pseudomonas citronellolis, Yersinia kristensenii, Achromobacter spanius, Achromobacter insolitus, Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium frederiksbergense, Mycobacterium sacrum, Mycobacterium fluoranthenivorans, Burkholderia sp., Burkholderia tropica, Cosmospora episphaeria, and Fusarium oxysporum.