Garcia Borràs, Marc

Experimental Sciences & Mathematics

Universitat de Girona (UdG)

Phone +34658641967

Email marc.garcia@udg.edu

Department Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC), and Departament de Química

Address C/ M. Aurèlia Capmany 69 , Facultat de Ciències, Universitat de Girona

Postal code 17003

City Girona

Keywords

Computational Chemistry
Integrative Computational Modelling
Enzymatic Catalysis
Biocatalysis
Directed Evolution
Computational Enzyme Design
Reactive Intermediates
Enzymatic Mechanisms

Research interests

In the last 5 years, I have consolidated my independent research program in computational enzymology and biocatalysis as a Ramón y Cajal Fellow at UdG, leading projects that bridge computational modeling and enzyme engineering. My work has been supported by competitive funding, including MICINN projects (2023-2026, 2020-2023), a TED strategic project (2022-2025), and multiple supercomputing grants from BSC-RES.

My research integrates pioneering computational pipelines to expand enzyme reactivity beyond natural capabilities. Key achievements include:

- Design and implementation of abiological radical chemistry in nonheme iron enzymes (Science, 2022; Nat. Synth., 2024; Nat. Catal. 2024).

- Engineering new-to-nature carbene transferases enzymes for selective N–H insertion (JACS, 2021; Nat. Chem., 2021; ACIE, 2023).

- Developing synthetically valuable alkene oxidation reactions using heme enzymes by control of reactive intermediates (Nat. Catal., 2023; JACS, 2022).

- Establishing theoretical frameworks for reactive intermediates in enzymatic catalysis and their geometric and electrostatic control.

See CV for a complete list of publications.

My work has led to breakthroughs in enzyme design, contributing to sustainable biocatalysis, and mechanistic understanding of (a)biological enzyme radical chemistry. These contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the RSEQ Marcial Moreno-Mañas 2023, RSEQ-Lilly Early Career 2024, and the ACS OpenEye/Cadence Outstanding Junior Faculty Award 2025.

I have established international collaborations with leading research groups in the field (e.g., F. Arnold, X. Huang, S. Hammer, A. Buller, etc.) and industrial partnerships (REPSOL). As a Mercator Fellow in DFG-FOR5596 and a member of the COST COZYME network, I actively contribute to shaping the future of computational enzyme engineering in Europe.

At UdG, I have built a dynamic research team, while also contributing to teaching duties.