Jeff Martell

Merging Biocatalysis and Abiotic Catalysis 

The Martell group creates new catalyst platforms that merge biological and abiotic chemistry, with a variety of applications including sustainable synthesis, chemical biology, and plastic recycling. In one project area, we create platforms for the directed evolution of enzymes to enhance their activity toward abiotic substrates. In another project area, we use synthetic DNA as a nanomaterial to accelerate screening and enhance the functionality of abiotic catalysts. We combine diverse disciplines in the creation and application of our catalysts, and we constantly encourage our group members to generate new ideas!