Catalytic antibodies and biomimetics

Of the various approaches being studied to mimic the catalytic properties of enzymes, catalytic antibody research is advancing most rapidly and successfully; the discovery of new reactions and new catalytic antibody-producing haptenic structures continues unabated. One of the highlights of the past year was the design and synthesis of a catalytically active peptide. The overall area of catalytic antibodies and biomimetics will be prominent in future biotechnological applications, as further advances are made and the nature of the catalyzed reactions becomes better understood.