Solid-Binding Peptides: Immobilisation Strategies for Extremophile Biocatalysis in Biotechnology

Abstract

Solid-binding peptides (SBP’s) have the ability to bind with high affinity and selectivity to the surfaces of a diverse range of solid materials. They offer a simple and versatile method for the directed immobilisation and orientation of proteins and enzymes onto solid supports without impeding their catalytic functionality. This chapter describes SBPs and their potential applications in the isolation, purification and reuse of thermostable enzymes using readily-available and inexpensive silica-based matrices. We suggest some prospects for the introduction of thermostable enzymes immobilised onto solid matrices using SBPs into several of areas of applied biotechnology. In particular, we outline conceptual applications for immobilised enzymes in cell-free synthetic biology, biofuels production and in gas phase biocatalysis for the capture of carbon dioxide.