We previously reviewed the use of 19F NMR in the broad field of chemical biology [Cobb, S. L.; Murphy, C. D. J. Fluorine Chem. 2009, 130, 132–140] and present here a summary of the literature from the last decade that has the technique as the central method of analysis. The topics covered include the synthesis of new fluorinated probes and their incorporation into macromolecules, the application of 19F NMR to monitor protein–protein interactions, protein–ligand interactions, physiologically relevant ions and in the structural analysis of proteins and nucleic acids. The continued relevance of the technique to investigate biosynthesis and biodegradation of fluorinated organic compounds is also described.

Fengycins are cyclic lipo-depsipeptides produced by Bacillus spp. that display potent antifungal properties but are chemically unstable. This instability has meant that no total synthesis of any fengycin has been published. Here we report the synthesis of fengycin A analogues that display enhanced antifungal properties and chemical stability under both basic and acidic conditions. The analogues prepared also demonstrate that the fengycin core structure can be modified and simplified without the loss of antifungal activity.

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Bacillus spp. produces lipopeptides that are of pharmaceutical and agricultural interest and include iturins, surfactins and fengycins. Their antimicrobial mechanism has been well studied but the role of the lipid chain and its biosynthesis is relatively unknown, especially in fengycin. In this project, we aim to fully understand the mechanisms of fengycin’s antimicrobial activity and generate new fengycins with fluorine in the lipid chain. We have already produced fluorinated lipopeptides via precursor-directed biosynthesis using fluorinated amino acids. The Bacillus genome was sequenced by MicrobesNG and a total of 34 gene clusters were identified, of which 19 were fully characterised using anti SMASH. Genes within the fengycin cluster were cleaved during the sequencing process and iturin biosynthetic genes were also present. Four fatty acyl-CoA ligases within the genome were identified using Artemis in an aim to heterologously express them, and carry out activity assays with fluorinated lipid tails. Lipopeptide production was optimised by altering culture conditions (pH, aeration and temperature) and it was found that 37 °C is the optimum temperature for biosynthesis.