SENS researchers have recently begun efforts to improve the effectiveness of the A2E degrading enzyme versatile peroxidase by developing a chimeric enzyme which also features an additional portion who is expected to be able to dramatically increase its activity. This project is currently in progress at the SENS Foundation research center in collaboration with the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.

This research stems from recent recognition that the effectiveness of A2E degrading enzymes can be drastically augmented (as much as 100 fold) with the help of protein engineering techniques.  The chimeric enzyme we have designed is being produced in these days. It should synthesize a functional catalytic domain covalently attached with another active site which can make the catalysis happen much more easily. Other enzymes have also been marked for subcloning following the completion of that type of fusion protein.