Abstract: This invention relates to the enzymatic synthesis of oligophenols on solid support by sequential enzymatic addition of reaction solutions containing phenols. The oligomers are then selectively built up on the solid surface. When used in a specific format, the oligomers can be generated in a spatially addressable array, which can then be screened for some type of biological interaction. The synthetic compounds of the present invention are synthesized in a combinatorial manner on solid support using peroxidase or other related enzymatic catalysis, and the products are generated in spatially addressable microarrays. Oligophenols of the present invention have shown significance as potential inhibitors of NADPH oxidase assembly, an enzyme that has been implicated in a wide range of diseases stemming from vascular hyperpermeability.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting high-throughput interactions between test compositions and analytes, comprising one or more test compositions, and a plurality of independent micromatrices, wherein each said micromatrix encapsulates at least one said test composition; and said micromatrices are made of a material that is permeable to an analyte.

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: Highly specific biocatalytic reactions have been used to create a population of taxol derivatives.

Abstract: A sensor and sensing array are disclosed. These devices include one or more fluorescent polymers selected to register one or more analytes. These analytes may include various metal ions or volatile organic compounds. The sensor and sensing array are responsive to excitation light to emit fluorescence responses indicative of the analytes. In particular, the sensing array may provide a pattern of responses operable as a “chemical nose” to identify one or more of the analytes. Techniques for using and making the sensor and sensing array are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: This invention encompasses methods for producing a library of modified starting compounds by use of biocatalytic reactions on a starting compound and identifying the modified starting compound with the optimum desired activity. The method is useful in producing modified pharmaceutical compounds with desired specific activity.

Abstract: An effective technique for the high throughput screening of displacers is described. In this technique, potential displacers are employed to displace a biomolecule (e.g., protein) adsorbed on a chromatographic resin in small-scale batch displacement experiments. The amount of protein displaced from a specific resin by a defined concentration of displacer is determined by monitoring the supermatant for the protein. By evaluating the displaced protein rather than the displacer itself, this technique enables a single detection technique (e.g., absorbance, fluorescence, etc.) to be employed for all batch displacement experiments. By monitoring the amount of protein displaced, the effacy of a large number of potential displacers can be rapidly evaluated. The entire experimental procedure can be carried out rapidly and is thus amenable to high throughput parallel screening of molecules possessing a large range of affinities and physico-chemical properties.

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer-protein composite based upon placing a protein in solution in an organic phase via the ion-pairing of the protein with a surfactant. The polymer-protein composites are useful, for example, as highly active and stable catalysts, in for example, paints and coatings, as well as in medical application.

Abstract: A method for derivatizing a compound having a hydroxyl group by back to back acylation is provided. The compound is acylated with a bifunctional acyl donor in the presence of a hydrolase to form an activated acyl ester or carbonate. Preferably the bifunctional acylating donor is a di(vinyl) ester or carbonate. The activated acyl ester or carbonate is then used to acylate a nucleophile in the presence of a lipase. The method of the invention provides regioselective enzymatic acylation of the base compound.

Abstract: Bacillus subtilis protease catalyzes the acylation of organic solvent-insoluble polysaccharides in isooctane solution containing vinyl esters of fatty acids as acyl donor. The reaction occurs only when the enzyme is solubilized via ion-pairing with the anionic surfactant dioctyl sulfosuccinate, sodium salt (AOT). Enzyme based acylation was demonstrated with amylose, cyclodextrins, cellulose, cellulose derivatives, and other polysaccharides such as chitosan, pullulan, and maltodextrose. These polysaccharides are reactive either as a cryogenically milled powder suspended in the organic solvent or as a thin film deposited onto ZnSe slides. For chitosan, &agr;-cyclodextrin, and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), the enzymatic crosslinking reaction occurs using adipic acid divinyl ester (C6DVE). HEC forms a compound that gels in solvents such as ethyl alcohol and dimethyl sulfone oxide (DMSO).

Abstract: A method is presented for catalyzing the conversion of substrate into product in an organic reaction solvent with an enzyme-surfactant ion pair. The enzyme-surfactant ion pair comprises the enzyme catalyzing the reaction and a surfactant capable of forming an ion pair with the enzyme. Water present in the organic solvent at a concentration of about 0.03% to about 2.5% is sufficient to enhance the rate of catalysis and stabilize the enzyme without substantially increasing the rate of hydrolysis when compared to the anhydrous enzyme.

Abstract: Highly specific biocatalytic reactions have been used to create a population of derivatives from a single starting compound. Examples demonstrate synthesis of derivatives of taxol, taxol-2'-adipate, taxol-2'-vinyl adipate, 2,3-(methylenedioxy) benzaldehyde, (.+-.)-(2-endo, 3-exo)-bicyclo (2.2.2)octo-5-ene-2,3-dimethanol, adenosine and erythromycin.

Abstract: Bacillus subtilis protease catalyzes the acylation of organic solvent-insoluble polysaccharides in isooctane solution containing vinyl esters of fatty acids as acyl donor. The reaction occurs only when the enzyme is solubilized via ion-pairing with the anionic surfactant dioctyl sulfosuccinate, sodium salt (AOT). Enzyme based acylation was demonstrated with amylose, cyclodextrins, cellulose, cellulose derivatives, and other polysaccharides such as chitosan, pullulan, and maltodextrose. These polysaccharides are reactive either as a cryogenically milled powder suspended in the organic solvent or as a thin film deposited onto ZnSe slides. For chitosan, .alpha.-cyclodextrin, and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), the enzymatic crosslinking reaction occurs using adipic acid divinyl ester (C6DVE). HEC forms a compound that gels in solvents such as ethyl alcohol and dimethyl sulfone oxide (DMSO). Electron spectroscopy chemical analysis (ESCA) of the first 100 .ANG.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer-protein composite including polymerizing a monomer in the presence of a protein dissolved in an organic phase via the ion-pairing of the protein with a surfactant. The polymer-protein composites are useful, for example, as highly active and stable catalysts, in for example, paints and coatings, as well as in medical application.

Abstract: Sugar-containing poly(acrylate)-based hydrogels and methods of preparing these hydrogels are disclosed. Poly(sugar acrylate)s are chemeoenzymatically prepared and crosslinked to form hydrogels, which are water absorbant.

Abstract: Organic enzyme solutions comprise an ion pair complex of an enzyme and a surfactant, and an organic solvent in which the enzyme-surfactant ion pair is dissolved. The solution has catalytic activity at least an order of magnitude greater than a suspension of an equal amount of the enzyme and organic solvent without ion pair complexes. The enzyme is preferably a hydrolase with an acyl transferase activity and the surfactant is Aerosol OT (sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate) at low concentrations.

Abstract: Chemoenzymatic methods of making sugar-based polymers are disclosed as well as novel sugar-based polymers. In one embodiment, acylated sugars are copolymerized with coreactants to yield novel sugar-based polymers. In another embodiment, non-reducing sugars acylated with a compound having a terminal double bond are polymerized to yield novel sugar-based polymers.