At the Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology (IMET), we use and develop methods in synthetic biology, enzyme engineering, and metabolic engineering to establish biotechnological processes. Our work focuses on the discovery, characterization, and optimization of proteins and enzymes, as well as on creating tailor-made bacterial cell factories that can be used for sustainable production processes in industrial biotechnology and the chemical industry.
A key focus is on metalloenzymes – an enzyme class that comprises around half of all enzymes. The most important metalloenzymes contain complex iron–sulfur clusters and catalyze key steps in the global carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles. They are therefore central to sustainable processes such as CO₂ fixation, fertilizer production, and the generation of renewable fuels, bulk chemicals, and value-added products.
To unlock the potential of these enzymes, we combine a broad methodological toolbox: from identifying new biocatalysts using AI-assisted analysis of (meta)genomics data and activity-based enzyme screenings, to structure determination by cryo-electron microscopy, crystallography, and spectroscopy, and finally targeted optimization through computational design and directed evolution. In addition, we establish new expression systems for oxygen-sensitive metalloenzymes and develop genetic tools – such as light-controlled promoter/regulator systems – as well as reporters and biosensors to precisely monitor and control enzyme activities and metabolic processes in vivo with high temporal resolution.
Research topics:
At IMET, microorganisms and enzymes are used for the biocatalytic conversion of waste streams and industrial gases to produce bulk and fine chemicals. In this way, IMET makes an important contribution to the BioSC research area “Microbial and Molecular Transformation.” In addition, IMET provides microbial platforms for the expression, purification, and structural characterization of oxygen-sensitive metalloenzymes, including structure determination by cryo-electron microscopy. These studies provide important insights into the structure–function relationships of the biocatalysts within the focus of the BioSC.
About BioSC
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BioSC-Geschäftsstelle
c/o Forschungszentrum Jülich
52425 Jülich
biosc@fz-juelich.de
