In early evolution of life, precursors of metal enzymes may have played a key role in catalytic reactions relevant for the synthesis of prebiotic macromolecules. Metalloproteins are also crucial for life on Earth today as over 50 % of all proteins are estimated to be metalloproteins. The mutual relationship between metal ions and proteins makes metalloproteins able to accomplish key processes in biological systems, often very difficult to reproduce with inorganic coordination compounds or chemical catalysts under mild conditions.

However, compared to its huge potential, the knowledge and explored applications with metalloenzymes are still very limited. In this inauguration talk, I will try to update some latest progresses in exploration of metalloenzymes for new property and chemistry. Particularly, our efforts and strategy in design and discovery of metalloenzymes for environmentally benign solutions to environmental challenges such as plastic degradation; and metalloenzyme-based green technique development for valorization of agricultural wastes.