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Research Focus:

Research in the Applied Biocatalysis group focusses on whole-cell biocatalysis and aims at the development of efficient and stable bioprocesses via an integrated biocatalyst and reaction engineering approach. Specifically, redox biotransformations (oxygenases, dehydrogenases, hydrogenases), in vivo cascades / orthogonal pathways, and fermentative approaches are targeted via enzyme, metabolic, reaction, and process engineering to develop and apply engineered microbial cells for the eco-efficient production of bulk and fine chemicals as well as fuels and bioactives from renewable as well as fossil resources. The renewables considered include sunlight, water and CO2  and thus the exploitation of photosynthesis with H2 formation by means of O2-tolerant hydrogenases as a major focus. Cyanobacteria, E. coli, and Pseudomonads constitute the host strains mainly employed. Following a systems biotechnology approach, special emphasis lies on biocatalyst and process efficiency with the ultimate goal to develop environment-friendly and industrially feasible processes via rational biocatalyst and process engineering.


Group Leader:
Prof. Dr. Bruno Bühler


Academic Staff:

Dr. Jörg Toepel

Dr. Adrian Tüllinghoff


PhD-Students:

Lyn Katinka Möhrlin

Diletta Sacco


Bioprocess Engineer:

Daniel Spindler


Guest Scientist:

Carolin Bertelmann

Paul Bolay

Mahir Bozan

Sara Lupacchini

Ana Camila Zenteno Illanes


Students / Hiwis:

Nolan Tucker

Ole Egert

Index:

You could use our publication index for further requests.

2025 (2)

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2024 (5)

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2023 (3)

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2022 (6)

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2021 (6)

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2020 (5)

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2019 (8)

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2018 (1)

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2017 (6)

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2016 (2)

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2015 (5)

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Project: AI-supported biotechnology for resource-efficient active compound and bio-nylon production (BIOWIN)

(JTF InfraProNet 2021-2027, proposal-no. 100702818)

The project aims to develop innovative and sustainable technologies for the production of the antifibrinolytic agent ε-aminocaproic acid and bio-nylon monomers. The production strategies are based on the same artificial metabolic pathways, which will be optimized to maximize production rates. E. coli, Pseudomonads, and cyanobacterial strains are used or developed as production strains. Reaction technology and process concepts are being developed for these strains, including biofilm-based concepts. In order to accelerate process development, a paradigm shift from empirical to systematic approaches using AI and in-silico modeling will be implemented.


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Project: New Green Chemistry a contribution to a sustainable bioeconomy

(Proposal-no: 100328904)

The action New Green Chemistry extends the intrastructure at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZ.

The "New Green Chemistry" approach aims at new processes, which consistently move ressources such as minerals and CO2 in circles, do not utilize agricultural areas and only cause minor climate-relevant emissions. Thereby, CO2 is assimilated by algae, but not to form biomass, but the organic acid glycolate. This acid is then used in a second process step in place of glucose and without harvesting and purification efforts for the microbial production of building blocks of the chemical industry. Prospectively, largely all products, which today are based on glucose (or starch) as carbon source, may be produced in this way.

The bioreactor equipment financed by this project will be utilized for the cultivation of heterotrophic microorganisms to develop the second process step and evaluate the coupling of both process steps.

Lecture: “Basics of Biocatalysis” in the 1st semester module “Introduction to Chemical Biotechnology” and "Drug target identification and validation"
Lecturer: Prof. Bruno Bühler

When:  Fridays in the winter semester, 1 pm – 3 pm or according to announcement
Where: MLU Halle, Weinberg-Campus, Hoher Weg 8, SR 101 HW or SR 107 HW according to announcement
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Lecture: “Whole-Cell Biocatalysis” in the 3rd semester module “Applied Biocatalysis”
Lecturer: Prof. Bruno Bühler

When:  Fridays in the winter semester, 10 am - 12 am or according to announcement
Where: MLU Halle, Weinberg-Campus, Hoher Weg 8, SR 101 HW or SR 107 HW according to announcement

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Project Seminar/ practical course on Applied Biocatalysis
Responsible Supervisor: Prof. Bruno Bühler

When:  One week in the winter semester break according to announcement
Where: UFZ, Leipzig

updates will follow