Stephen M. Wallace

May 8, 2024 | nature.com | Stephen M. Wallace

John Steele and Stephen Wallace discuss recent advances in the chemical and biotechnological synthesis of the prolific platform chemical adipic acid.

Jul 21, 2023 | onlinelibrary.wiley.com | Jonathan Dennis |Nick Johnson |Thomas W Thorpe |Stephen M. Wallace

Graphical Abstract Introducing new abiotic chemistry into living cells is a grand challenge in the field of chemical biotechnology. Here, we show that phosphate and/or biogenic amines mediate the non-enzymatic α-methylenation of butyraldehyde under biocompatible reaction conditions and can be interfaced with butyraldehyde biosynthesis from D-glucose in the bacterium Escherichia coli. Abstract Small molecule organocatalysts are abundant in all living organisms.

Jul 21, 2023 | pericles.pericles-prod.literatumonline.com | Jonathan Dennis |Nick Johnson |Thomas W Thorpe |Stephen M. Wallace

Abstract Small molecule organocatalysts are abundant in all living organisms. However, their use as organocatalysts in cells has been underexplored. Herein, we report that organocatalytic aldol chemistry can be interfaced with living Escherichia coli to enable the α-methylenation of cellular aldehydes using biogenic amines such as L-Pro or phosphate.