Method and apparatus for optimization of high-throughput screening and enhancement of biocatalyst performance

A method for selecting an optimal enzyme for carryout out an enzymatic transformation of a compound using a synthesizer, an analyzer and a computer, the method including the steps of:

• identifying variables which affect enzymatic catalytic activity;
• choosing a finite number of experimental tests, wherein the experimental tests have values for the variables;
• providing a plurality of wells;
• assigning each of the experimental tests to a particular well;
• dispensing reagents and solvents into a plurality of wells chosen from the values for the experimental tests;
• enzymatically transforming the compound in the synthesizer using operating conditions chosen from the values for the experimental tests;
• obtaining at least a portion of contents from the plurality of wells;
• analyzing to determine the magnitude of enzymatic transformation for the at least a portion of the contents from the plurality of wells;
• automatically generating a statistical analysis using the computer based on the step of determining the magnitude of enzymatic transformation and at least one of the variables identified in order to evaluate the enzymatic transformation in the wells;
• and
• automatically generating, using the computer, suggested parameters for future experiments based on the statistical analysis.