Max Planck Foundation Research Group Sustainable Biocatalysis
Research vision and motivation
Biological carbon capture transforms more than 400 gigatons (Gt) of CO2 per year. Nonetheless, anthropogenic activities annually emit 10 Gt of carbon, which cannot be reassimilated, thus driving climate change. To study, understand, and engineer biological carbon capture, we focus on novel approaches using protein engineering and systems biology. We employ tools such as radioisotope labeling, metabolomics, proteomics, metabolic engineering, confocal and electron microscopy, and structural biology to understand existing and engineer new-to-nature organelles and enzymes.
In particular, we explore how intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and liquid-phase separated condensates influence biocatalysis at different branching points of metabolism, such as the selectivity of Rubisco for carbon versus oxygen. Additionally, we investigate how highly promiscuous enzymes from methanogens can be adapted to new carbon substrates and how to implement them in synthetic CO2-to-product pathways.
Building on our in-vitro results, we establish and engineer new-to-nature organelles and alternative production routes in phototrophs (such as cyanobacteria) and methanogens. We particularly focus on carbon-concentrating mechanisms, terpene-producing pathways, and hydrogenases.
By reimagining enzymes, compartmentalization strategies, and microbial chassis design, we aim to contribute to scalable biological solutions for carbon capture and green manufacturing. Our interdisciplinary approach bridges fundamental protein biochemistry and biophysics with applied metabolic and enzyme engineering, offering novel tools to address global sustainability challenges.