Wajeeha Mehak

Curriculum Vitae

Research

My PhD project focuses on investigating and characterizing cobalamin-dependent methyltransferase I (MTase I) enzymes, which utilize C1 compounds, such as methanol, as methyl group donors. These compounds can be sustainably produced through the electrochemical reduction of CO₂, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional methylation reactions that rely on toxic substrates and heavy metals.

To enable biotechnological applications of methanol-demethylating MTase I enzymes, I will optimize heterologous expression and production conditions, followed by purification to enhance yield and activity. Recombinant MTase I enzymes will then be structurally characterized to identify enzyme-substrate and enzyme-cofactor interactions.

Within the framework of the CoMet project, I am also interested in developing a sustainable and circular biological methylation process using C1 compounds as methyl group donors, which can overcome the limitations of traditional methylation reactions and support the shift toward CO₂-neutral chemical processes.