Jon Stewart
Professor
Research Focus
We develop new tools for asymmetric organic synthesis by employing enzymes, a field known as biocatalysis. To develop these methodologies, we find one or more starting natural enzymes that catalyze the reaction of interest. In a few cases, these native enzymes meet all the requirements for use in synthesis; more commonly, however, they are deficient in substrate range, stereoselectivity, stability or other properties. We address these problems by applying protein engineering strategies to evolve improved variants. Once the needed levels of improvement have been reached, we want to learn why our particular mutations were beneficial using tools of protein crystallography, kinetics, molecular dynamics, etc.
Education and Training
1991–1994: Postdoc, Pennsylvania State University (lab of Stephen Benkovic)
1986–1991: Ph.D. Chemistry, Cornell University (lab of Bruce Ganem)
B.S. Chemistry and Biochemistry, Bucknell University (lab of Harold Pinnick)
Selected Awards
University of Florida Term Professor of Chemistry (2017–2020)
Colonel Allan R. and Margaret G. Crow Term Professor of Chemistry (2014–2015)
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Teaching Award (2015–2016; 2012–2013; 2009–2010)
2006 Biocat Prize, International Congress on Biocatalysis
Selected Activities
Editor, Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic, 2002–2017
Co-Chair, Enzyme Engineering XXIII, 6–11 September 2015, St. Petersburg, FL
Co-Chair, Gordon Research Conference on Biocatalysis, July 7–12, 2002
Selected Publications
Kim, A.; Stewart J. D.* Exploring the Structure-Function Relationships in a 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Synthase and the Use of Protein Engineering to Expand Its Substrate Range. Biochemistry 2024, 64, 238-249.
Choe, H.; Cha, M.; Kim, A.; Stewart, J. D.* Broadening the Substrate Range of Serine Palmitoyltransferase by Protein Engineering and Applications to 3-Keto-Dihydrosphingosine Analogs. Catalysis Sci. Technol. 2024, 14, 6600-6608.
Choe, H.; Cha, M.; Stewart, J. D.* Semi-rational approach to Expand the Acyl-CoA Chain Length Tolerance of Sphingomonas paucimobilis Serine Palmitoyltransferase. Enz. Microb. Technol. 2020, 137, 109515.