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Directed evolution: Past, present, and future
Author(s) -
Cobb Ryan E.,
Chao Ran,
Zhao Huimin
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.13995
Subject(s) - directed evolution , directed molecular evolution , directed mutagenesis , diversification (marketing strategy) , selection (genetic algorithm) , computational biology , biological evolution , computer science , biology , evolutionary biology , genetics , artificial intelligence , gene , mutant , marketing , business
Directed evolution, the laboratory process by which biological entities with desired traits are created through iterative rounds of genetic diversification and library screening or selection, has become one of the most useful and widespread tools in basic and applied biology. From its roots in classical strain engineering and adaptive evolution, modern directed evolution came of age 20 years ago with the demonstration of repeated rounds of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐driven random mutagenesis and activity screening to improve protein properties. Since then, numerous techniques have been developed that have enabled the evolution of virtually any protein, pathway, network, or entire organism of interest. Here, we recount some of the major milestones in the history of directed evolution, highlight the most promising recent developments in the field, and discuss the future challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 1432–1440, 2013