Synzymes (Synthetic Enzyme Mimics)

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Creative Enzymes is committed to advancing enzymology by providing innovative, highly specialized solutions for both academic and industrial research. In addition to native enzymes, recombinant enzymes, and engineered biocatalysts, we proudly offer professional services in the rational design, synthesis, and evaluation of synzymes, also known as synthetic enzyme mimics. Synzymes represent an exciting frontier in modern chemistry and biotechnology, offering unique catalytic capabilities, enhanced stability, and opportunities for applications where natural enzymes are limited by cost, specificity, or environmental sensitivity.

Our synzyme service encompasses every stage of development—from initial conceptual design and molecular modeling to synthetic construction, functional evaluation, and application analysis. Supported by our extensive experience and state-of-the-art facilities, Creative Enzymes provides reliable, custom-built synzymes engineered to meet even the most demanding research objectives. With our comprehensive knowledge in biomimetic chemistry, catalysis, structural design, and mechanistic analysis, we deliver synthetic enzyme mimics that mirror or even surpass the catalytic behavior of natural enzymes.

Understanding Synzymes

Synzymes, or synthetic enzymes, are artificial catalytic systems designed to imitate or replicate the functional performance of biological enzymes. Unlike natural enzymes, which evolved within the constraints of biological systems, synzymes benefit from complete structural freedom, enabling engineers to design catalytic centers and molecular scaffolds that address specific scientific challenges. By mimicking active-site architectures, substrate recognition motifs, or transition-state stabilizing mechanisms, synzymes offer remarkable opportunities for research and commercial innovation.

The field of synthetic enzyme mimics is deeply rooted in biomimetic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, coordination chemistry, polymer science, and molecular engineering. Over time, researchers have successfully demonstrated that synthetic molecules—including organic polymers, metal complexes, cyclodextrins, fullerenes, and derivatized proteins—can exhibit enzyme-like behavior under controlled conditions. These mimics are capable of catalyzing numerous reactions, such as redox conversions, hydrolysis, oxidation, transamination, or DNA cleavage.

One example of a synzyme is artificial phosphorylase Figure 1. Schematic drawing of artificial phosphorylase.

Compared to natural enzymes, synzymes offer several strategic advantages:

Greater structural stability under extreme pH, temperature, or solvent conditions
Lower sensitivity to proteolytic degradation
Flexible and tunable catalytic properties
Cost-effective production without the need for biological expression systems
Enhanced controllability via chemical modification or ligand design

As such, synzymes have been increasingly explored for use in drug development, chemical synthesis, therapeutic applications, biosensing, and material engineering.

Creative Enzymes plays an active role in expanding these possibilities. With deep-rooted expertise in enzyme engineering, structural biochemistry, and biomimetic materials, we are ideally positioned to construct high-performance synthetic enzymes tailored precisely to your needs.

Synzyme applications include biomedicine, diagnostics, industry, food and the environment Figure 2. Applications of synzymes. (Palabiyik, 2025)

Synzyme Development Services: What We Offer

Creative Enzymes provides a broad range of synzyme development services, each carefully customized to the intended biochemical function, substrate profile, and application domain. Our service offerings include:

Services	Offerings	Price
Synzyme Design Services	We employ rigorous design methodologies based on: Structural analysis of natural enzyme active sites Quantum chemical calculations Mechanistic modeling of catalytic pathways Template-based mimicry or de novo design Selection of functional groups that replicate catalytic residues Engineering of molecular scaffolds with optimal geometry and flexibility Both template-based strategies and entirely new synthetic constructs can be developed depending on project requirements.	Get a quote
Chemical Synthesis and Production of Synzymes	Our chemists specialize in building complex catalytic structures, including: Metal coordination complexes Cyclodextrin derivatives Functionalized polymers Fullerene-based catalytic frameworks Modified proteins or peptides Small-molecule catalytic motifs Each synzyme is produced under controlled conditions to ensure correct structure, stability, and reproducibility.
In Vitro and In Vivo Activity Evaluation of Synzymes	Following synthesis, each synzyme undergoes comprehensive functional testing, including: Catalytic rate analysis Substrate affinity measurement Comparative activity assessment vs. natural enzymes Kinetic and stability profiling Biological compatibility testing In vivo efficacy studies when applicable

Service Workflow

Workflow of synzyme development services

Types of Synzymes

Our synzyme services cover the complete range of synthetic enzyme types and design methodologies. Creative Enzymes supports the development of numerous categories of synzymes, including those already demonstrated in scientific literature and uniquely customized constructs.

Types	Specification	Example	Applications
Protein-Derived Synzymes	Natural proteins chemically or structurally modified to introduce new catalytic properties; leverage inherent protein scaffolds for functional transformation.	Myoglobin derivatized with (Ru(NH₃)₅)³⁺, converting its normal function from oxygen transport to oxidase activity.	Oxidation reactions; mechanistic studies; creation of artificial catalytic systems; biomimetic modeling.
Cyclodextrin-Based Synzymes	Utilize the cyclic oligosaccharide cavity for substrate binding; functional groups added to mimic natural enzyme active sites.	β-Cyclodextrin modified at C-6 with hydroxyl coenzyme groups showing transaminase activity and stereospecificity toward L-amino acids.	Mimicking hydrolases and transferases; stereoselective catalysis; host–guest catalysis; supramolecular enzyme models.
Organic Synzymes	Non-protein organic frameworks (e.g., functionalized polymers) engineered to include catalytic residues such as acid–base sites.	Polyethyleneimine alkylated with 4(5)-chloromethylimidazole creating general acid–base catalytic centers.	Industrial biocatalysis; stable synthetic catalysts; reactions requiring high robustness; model systems for catalytic polymers.
Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Synzymes	Synthetic mimics of the natural SOD active site designed to replicate radical-scavenging and antioxidant activity.	Artificial SOD mimics developed for therapeutic evaluation in oxidative stress models.	Biomedical research; antioxidant therapy development; redox biology studies; drug development targeting oxidative stress.
Fullerene-Based Synzymes	Synzymes built on fullerene structures with unique electronic/geometric properties enabling catalytic transformations.	Fullerene derivatives capable of efficiently cleaving DNA oligonucleotides.	Nucleic acid cleavage; biotechnology research; molecular tools for DNA manipulation; nanomaterial-based catalysis.
Metallo-Synzymes	Metal-ion complexes of functionalized ligands engineered to model natural metalloenzyme catalytic centers.	Functionalized 1,10-phenanthroline metal complexes used as hydrolytic metallo-enzyme mimics.	Hydrolytic catalysis; redox catalysis; mechanistic modeling of metalloenzymes; design of metal-based catalytic systems.

Contact Our Team

Why Choose Us

Expertise in Biomimetic and Structural Chemistry

Our team includes chemists, biochemists, and enzymologists with extensive experience in designing active-site mimics and catalytic frameworks.

Comprehensive, End-to-End Service

We provide everything from conceptual design to synthesis, purification, in vitro testing, and optional biological evaluation, ensuring continuity and consistency.

Highly Customized Design Options

Every synzyme is uniquely constructed based on the client's catalytic goals, substrate preferences, physicochemical constraints, and application demands.

Advanced Analytical and Characterization Tools

Our facility employs high-resolution spectroscopic and chromatographic instruments to confirm structural integrity and catalytic competence.

Rapid Turnaround and Efficient Project Management

We offer streamlined timelines without sacrificing scientific rigor, ensuring that urgent research needs are met promptly.

Proven Success and Reliable Performance

Having built numerous synzymes across diverse categories, Creative Enzymes is recognized for its reliability, innovation, and dedication to scientific excellence.

Synzyme Development: Case Studies

Case 1: Metal–Organic-Framework-Engineered Enzyme-Mimetic Catalysts

This case highlights synzymes strategy using metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) to engineer enzyme-mimetic catalysts with enhanced stability and catalytic efficiency. By leveraging MOFs' high surface area, tunable porosity, and well-defined catalytic centers, synthetic enzymes were designed to outperform natural enzymes under complex physiological conditions. Controlled structural design enabled precise regulation of catalytic activity, selectivity, and reaction mechanisms. These MOF-engineered Synzymes demonstrated strong potential across multiple biomedical applications, including tumor therapy, antibacterial disinfection, tissue regeneration, and biosensing. This approach illustrates how rational nanomaterial engineering can expand Synzymes functionality and provide scalable, application-driven alternatives to natural enzymes in advanced biomedical systems.

Synthesized laccase-mimetic Enz-Cats based on Cu/GMP Figure 3. An example of MOF-Engineered Synzyme: a) The synthetic process of the Cu/GMP nanozyme. b) Cu/GMP or laccase catalytic oxidation of 2, 4-DP, 4-AP, and UV–vis spectra. c) Comparison of the stability of the Cu/GMP nanozyme and laccase at different pH values. d) Long-term storage tests. (Ma et al., 2020)

Case 2: Supramolecular Synzymes for CO₂ Conversion

A supramolecular catalytic system was engineered to mimic enzyme-like multifunctionality for efficient CO₂ utilization. Pseudopeptidic macrocycles equipped with halide ions, hydrogen-bond acceptors, and amine groups created a cooperative environment that activated both epoxides and CO₂. This design enabled highly efficient cycloaddition of CO₂ to styrene oxide under mild conditions, achieving a turnover number of 900. The catalysts were further immobilized in cross-linked polymer matrices, forming robust heterogeneous synzymes with excellent productivity and reusability. These multifunctional polymer-supported catalysts outperformed most existing supramolecular heterogeneous systems for carbonate synthesis, demonstrating the promise of synzyme-inspired designs for sustainable CO₂ transformation.

Immobilized supramolecular systems as efficient synzymes for CO2 activation and conversion Figure 4. Synthesis of the bifunctional polymeric materials. (Esteve et al., 2022)

Synzyme Development: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What types of synzymes are provided by Creative Enzymes?

A: Creative Enzymes offers a wide range of synzymes, including protein-derived synzymes (such as modified myoglobin), cyclodextrin-based mimics, organic polymeric synzymes, SOD mimics, fullerene-based catalysts, and metallo-synzymes. Our experience across these categories enables us to design highly specialized mimics suitable for various biochemical and industrial applications.
Q: How do you determine which synzyme design strategy to use?

A: We base our design strategy on the catalytic objective, substrate characteristics, environmental conditions, mechanistic requirements, and any known natural enzyme analogs. Both template-based and de novo approaches are available. Computational modeling, structural analysis, and experimental feasibility assessments guide the selection of the optimal design.
Q: Can synzymes match the performance of natural enzymes?

A: While synzymes may not always fully replicate the extraordinary efficiency of evolved natural enzymes, many exhibit comparable or even superior stability, tunability, and resistance to harsh conditions. In specific applications, synzymes outperform natural enzymes due to their robustness and customizable properties.
Q: Are synzymes suitable for biological applications?

A: Certain categories—such as SOD mimics or protein-derived synzymes—can be evaluated in biological systems. We offer both in vitro and in vivo testing to determine biocompatibility, efficacy, and safety.
Q: Can Creative Enzymes support scale-up for commercial or industrial needs?

A: Yes. Once a synzyme demonstrates suitable performance, we can scale production while maintaining structural integrity and catalytic efficiency. We offer flexible manufacturing volumes and robust quality control for long-term supply.

References:

Esteve F, Escrig A, Porcar R, Luis SV, Altava B, García-Verdugo E. Immobilized supramolecular systems as efficient synzymes for CO₂ activation and conversion. Advanced Sustainable Systems. 2022;6(3):2100408. doi:10.1002/adsu.202100408
Ma L, Jiang F, Fan X, et al. Metal–organic‐framework‐engineered enzyme‐mimetic catalysts. Advanced Materials. 2020;32(49):2003065. doi:10.1002/adma.202003065
Palabiyik AA. Synzymes: the future of modern enzyme engineering. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2025;197(9):5584-5607. doi:10.1007/s12010-025-05305-1

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For research and industrial use only. Not intended for personal medicinal use. Certain food-grade products are suitable for formulation development in food and related applications.

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