Technische Universität München
Lehrstuhl für Synthetische Biotechnologie (Prof. Brück)
Lichtenbergstr. 4
85748 Garching b. München
Engineering whole cell bio-catalysis
Synthetic Biotechnology is a new, cross-disciplinary approach to employ biocatalytic processes for generation of sustainable chemical entities. The group employs advanced bioinformatic tools in combination with molecular simulation to modulate enzyme catalysis towards process relevant parameters, such as product profile specificity or thermotolerance.
The redesigned enzymes are recombinantly incorporated in customized cell systems to address whole cell production of terpenoids or functionalized lipids.
Metabolic perturbations induced by incorporating designed enzyme systems are assessed by comprehensive systems biology methods. Data sets are used to metabolically rewire hosts cells in order to optimize carbon flux towards desired chemicals using new bioreactor concepts. A specific competence of the group is the use of phototrophic and heterotrophic cell systems, which convert CO2 to value adding chemical entities (see research overview).
Microorganisms
Abstract: Therapeutics based on RNA are commonly produced via biocatalytic approaches using RNA polymerases. The most frequently applied enzyme is the RNA polymerase of Enterobacteria phage T7. However, this…
FEBS Letters
Abstract: Terpene synthases (TPSs) generate complex hydrocarbon scaffolds through carbocationic cyclization cascades that demand precise active-site control to stabilize reactive intermediates. While π–cation…
Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology
Abstract: Cocoyam is an underutilized, low-amylose tuber and has significant potential for conversion into porous starch (PS). This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and functional properties of…
BioSpektrum
Talanta
Abstract: The chemical profiling of complex mixtures of natural products (NPs) is a major challenge in analytical chemistry and generally addressed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS).…
PNAS Nexus
Abstract: The production of high-quality food needs to increase to feed the growing global population. Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems in a vertical farm setting—in which several layers are…
Journal of Natural Products
Abstract: Natural polymers have garnered attention due to their unique properties, i.e., structural versatility, biocompatibility, and modifiability. Recent efforts focus on sustainable raw materials to develop…
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences
Abstract: The haploid, olegenious yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides accumulates intracellular lipids and carotenoids upon metabolic stress. Target of Rapamycin (TOR) signaling, essential for cell proliferation,…
Processes
Abstract: Marine microalgae from the genus Nannochloropsis are promising candidates for the photoautotrophic production of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5), a polyunsaturated fatty acid known for its numerous…
Biomass (Switzerland)
Abstract: There is an increasing industrial demand for sustainable resources for lipid-based biofuels and platform chemical production. A promising, CO2-efficient resource is autotrophically cultivated…
