9505675 Kelly This project is on research to study aspects of biocatalysis and thermostability for extremely thermophlic xylose (glucose) isomerases (GIs). The research will focus on GIs from the thermophilic and the hyperthermophilic eubacterial genera Thermoanaerobacterium and Thermotoga, and will attempt to identify the structural bases for thermal stability and differing catalytic activities for this family of enzymes. In addition, these enzymes will be model systems for studying substrate binding and the role of metal ions in the enzymes structure and function. The sequences and crystal structures of these enzymes will be compared to the less thermostable GIs. ***
