creating NEW Enzymes by copying natur's design process

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'Directed evolution’, mimics natural evolution to create new and better proteins in the laboratory. This technology uses the power of biology and evolution to solve many important problems, often replacing less efficient and sometimes harmful technologies.

It allows to rewrite the code of life. Basically harnessing the power of evolution, which led to a range of breakthroughs including better bio-fuels and more targeted drugs.

                   What is directed Evolution?

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"directed evolution" methodology: how it could reduce dependence on fossil fuels

2.  Phage antibodies:

The principles behind evolution were also used by the other Nobel winners, George Smith of the US and Britain's Gregory Winter, who focused on tiny viruses that infect bacteria called bacteriophages—or phages for short.

Using this invading element, George Smith invented an "elegant" method called phage display in which these invading phages introduce antibodies—which function like "targeted missiles", the Academy said.Gregory Winter then applied directed evolution to develop the world's first pharmaceutical entirely based on a human antibody.

This has since led to a wide range of different drugs that can target certain tumour cells, arthritis, the toxin that causes anthrax, help slow down lupus and even in some cases cure metastatic cancer. Many more such antibodies are currently undergoing clinical trials, including some to combat Alzheimer's disease.

Here is a brief explanation of their discoveries and how they have been applied:

1.  New enzymes:

Prof. Frances Arnold of Cal Tech was awarded for using the principles of evolution to develop new enzymes, which are the basic chemical tools of life. At first she tried to force such changes using more traditional methods, but her breakthrough came when she allowed evolutionary forces such as selection and even chance to govern the development of enzymes, while still subtly guiding them. It was the first step toward a revolution in the field, with the slight but fundamental changes leading to more environmentally friendly chemical substances, new pharmaceuticals, and more renewable fuels, according to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences