Enzyme augmenter
Overview
Two chemical additives can increase the activity and reaction rate of many enzymes when added into an reaction.
Research completion
2025
Commercialisation opportunities
Technology licensing agreement
Problem addressed
Enzymes are commonly used in the biotechnology industry. Our invention provides a new and simple method to rapidly optimize enzyme reactivity in existing reactions.
Innovation
- The first chemical is CHAPSO, a bile salt derivative.
- The second chemical is a chemically modified cyclodextrin.
- The chemicals additives are simply added into an enzymatic reaction to achieve the augmentation effect.
Key impact
- Broadly applicable augmentation across enzymes with various properties and reaction conditions
- Simplicity- no need for additional equipment or major changes in reaction protocol
Award
- Gold Medal at the “2025 Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions”
Application
- Increase production rate of inductrial products where enzymes are applied
- Faster results and turnaround time in diagnostic assays, e.g. ELISA, PCR
- Reduce experiment time in biomedical science research
Patent
- Non provisional patent no. US18/901,841
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a forward-looking comprehensive research university with a global vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. CUHK teachers and students hail from all around the world. Four Nobel laureates are associated with the university, and it is the only tertiary institution in Hong Kong with recipients of the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Fields Medal and Veblen Prize sitting as faculty in residence. CUHK graduates are connected worldwide through an extensive alumni network. CUHK undertakes a wide range of research programmes in many subject areas, and strives to provide scope for all academic staff to undertake consultancy and collaborative projects with industry.
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