معرفی
Dr. Caroline E. Paul is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechnology at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Faculty of Applied Sciences. She leads an active research group focused on biocatalysis, enzyme engineering, and biomimetic cofactor systems.
Education:
- PhD in Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Oviedo, Spain
- MSc in Chemical Synthesis and Reactivity, University of Oviedo
- MSc in Biological Chemistry, University of Toronto
- Honours BSc in Biological Chemistry, University of Toronto
Research Interests:
Dr. Paul’s research centers on enzyme discovery and engineering, particularly in flavoprotein monooxygenases and ene reductases. Her group explores biomimetic cofactors to replace natural NAD(P)H, enabling more efficient and sustainable biocatalytic processes. A major focus is the development of one-pot enzymatic cascades for asymmetric synthesis, such as azidohydroxylation and allylic oxidation, with applications in pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis. She also investigates metalloproteomics using MIRAGE to study metal distribution in biological systems.
Publication Trends:
Her recent publications (2020–2024) demonstrate a consistent focus on biocatalytic cascade reactions, cofactor engineering, and enzyme mechanism elucidation. There is a strong emphasis on green chemistry and sustainable synthesis using enzymatic systems. Her work frequently involves the use of biomimetic reductants like BNAH and the integration of photochemical or hydrogen-driven cofactor regeneration. The research bridges fundamental enzymology with practical applications in organic synthesis.
Scientific Awards and Grants:
- ERC Starting Grant (2020)
- KNCV Gold Medal (2024)
- Chemistry Europe Fellow (2022–2023)
- NWO ENW XL Grant (2022)
- NWO VENI Grant (2015)
- FP7 Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship (2013)
- Delft Technology Fellowship (2018)
Advising and Funding:
Dr. Paul has successfully secured multiple competitive grants, including from the European Commission (ERC, HORIZON) and the Dutch Research Council (NWO), supporting her research on non-canonical cofactors and biocatalytic cascades. She co-founded NextGenBiocat, an international symposium promoting early-career researchers in biocatalysis, indicating her commitment to mentoring and academic community building. While specific students are not listed, her active funding and group leadership imply ongoing supervision of PhD and postdoctoral researchers.
Labs and Teams:
She leads the Caroline Paul Group within the Biocatalysis section at TU Delft. Her research involves collaborations with groups across Europe, including Wageningen University, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, and Enzymicals AG. Her lab employs advanced techniques such as isothermal titration calorimetry, stopped-flow spectroscopy, and microsecond freeze-quenching to study enzyme kinetics and mechanisms.
