Silicon Biotechnology: New Opportunities for Carbohydrate Science.

Abstract

Silicon is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust after oxygen, with a chemistry second only in complexity to that of carbon.[1] In addition, the involvement of silicon in many life processes has been acknowledged for some time, although the exact mechanisms underlying this association are still poorly defined.[2,3] Recent discoveries of molecules responsible for the biomineralization of silica, coupled with the growing influence of biotechnology, have reinvigorated interest in the biochemistry of silicon.[4] This has led to the emergence of silicon biotechnology, an area of interdisciplinary research that seeks to combine silicon chemistry with the life sciences.[4,5] Commercial interests are also aggressively pursuing the merger of silicon chemistry and biotechnology, most notably the Silicon Biotechnology platform initiated in late 2001 as a strategic alliance between Genencor International and the Dow Corning Corporation.[5] The current scope of this effort is broad and includes the study of how silicon is processed in the biosphere, biocatalytic production of siliconcontaining polymers and their precursors, delivery systems for enzymes, development of robust biosensor systems, and the enzymatic formation of silicon–carbon bonds. Many of these areas present significant opportunities for carbohydrate chemists and biologists alike, promising to reinforce the long association between silicon and carbohydrate chemistry.