Dr. Chaiyen’s research interests are in the broad areas of enzyme catalysis, enzyme engineering, systems biocatalysis, metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Her group studies flavin-dependent, PLP-dependent, redox and aldolase enzymes. They have contributed significantly to the understanding of many fundamental aspects of these systems including mechanisms of oxygen activation by flavoenzymes, reduced flavin transfer between proteins, oxygenation and oxidation by flavin-dependent enzymes. In addition to developing deep insights into enzymatic mechanisms, they also focus on discovering of new enzymatic functions and re-routing of metabolic networks.
A recent signature success of work in Chaiyen’s group is to use an approach combining mechanistic enzymology and enzyme engineering. Fundamental understanding of enzymatic reactions can effectively support engineering methodology to improve properties of biocatalysts or engineered cells. Chaiyen’s lab always exercises their biomolecular engineering via semi-rational or mechanism-guided approach which has resulted in several examples of successful enzyme and metabolic engineering programs with efficient resource utilization.
Chaiyen’s group is also interested in translating their scientific discoveries into real-life applications. They are passionate about contributing to developments in the area of sustainability. Their enzyme engineering, biocatalysis and synthetic biology work aim to develop technologies to support circular economy (CO2 utilization), biohydrogen production, green chemistry, food safety, biosensors and bioimaging. To further this mission, her group has collaborated with several private sector entities and also founded their own startups, Enzmart Biotech, in 2016 and BioSynThai Biotech in 2020.
Read more about Pimchai Chaiyen Biography and work in
Chaiyen P. Pimchai Chaiyen’s biography. Biophysical Reviews 2022; Jun;14:613-7.