20.10.22

2022 Young Talents Fellowship to Nicolas Imstepf

Congratulations to Nicolas Imstepf for receiving a Young Talents Fellowship from NCCR Catalysis to conduct his Master thesis with the group of Rebecca Buller at the ZHAW.

21.09.22

Biocatalysis and the Production of Flavor Compounds

The biocatalytic reduction of activated alkenes by ene reductases offers an bio-based alternative to metal- or organocatalyzed double bond reduction. In our recent publication, we describe a new biocatalytic process to reduce 2E-decenal.

30.08.22

ZHAW-Chemiestudent gewinnt Lab Science Award für Bachelorarbeit zur Identifizierung neuer Enzyme

Der Chemiestudent Kevin Yar erhält für seine Bachelorarbeit den Lab Science Award 2022. Die Auszeichnung wird vom Verein Toolpoint for Lab Science vergeben und ist mit 8000 Franken dotiert. Die Abschlussarbeit befasst sich mit der Suche nach neuen…

19.01.22

Our first publication in 2022 now online in Nature Communications

Employing algorithm-aided enzyme engineering, we tailor the (Fe(II)/ a-KG) halogenase WelO5* to functionalize bulky polyketides.

06.01.22

CCBIO Publication featured on the Front Cover of the Journal “Angewandte Chemie”

A recent work by the CCBIO-group on the use of engineered squalene-hopene cyclases for the synthesis of fragrance molecules is featured on the front cover of “Angewandte Chemie”.

10.11.21

An Enzymatic Strategy for the Asymmetric Synthesis of Ionones by Engineered Squalene-Hopene Cyclases published in “Angewandte Chemie”

Ionones are important components of the scent of flowers and fruits. The development of new synthesis routes for the production of optically pure compounds is therefore of great interest.

28.06.21

Master of Science FH Prize 2021 of the Schweizerischer Verband dipl. Chemiker FH (SVC) for Jan Taublitz

During a Master of Science in Chemistry at the ZHAW, Jan specialized in "Chemistry for the Life Sciences" and completed his Master’s Thesis under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Rebecca Buller and Dr. Fabian Meyer.

21.06.21

The halogenase toolbox is growing: Re-programming and optimization of a L-proline cis-4-hydroxylase for the cis-3-halogenation of its native substrate

Over 5000 halogenated natural products are described and around 25% of small molecular drugs are halogenated. Thus, strategies are needed to incorporate halogens in a selective and sustainable way.

17.05.21

Just published in ACS Catalysis: Modulating Chemoselectivity in a Fe(II)/α-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase for the Oxidative Modification of a Nonproteinogenic Amino Acid

Fe(II)/ α-KGDs are valuable tools for region- and stereoselective derivatization of non-native substrates to pharmacological relevant small molecules.

29.03.21

Congratulations to our BSc student Nicolas Imstepf for finishing second at the toolpoint Lab Sciences Award 2021

Nicolas Imstepf was winning the second prize for his Bachlor of Science thesis «Bioinformatische Identifikation neuer Halogenasen».

18.03.21

12th Day of Life Sciences hosts 3rd CCBIO Symposium on «Industrial Biocatalysis» on June 10th, 2021

Join as for a new edition of our CCBIO Symposium on «Industrial Biocatalysis» with speakers from industry and academia, from Switzerland and abroad - this year online.

26.02.21

A Ketoreductase Library for the Synthesis of Pharmaceutical-relevant Alcohols

Off-the-shelf enzyme libraries allow fast screening for suitable readily available biocatalyst candidates and thus increase the competitiveness of biocatalytic reaction steps in chemical process development.

16.02.21

Master of Science FH Prize 2020 for Sandro Giger

Sandro Giger was awarded the Master of Science FH Prize 2020 of the Schweizerischer Verband dipl. Chemiker FH (SVC).

16.12.20

Biocatalysis in the Swiss Manufacturing Environment

How has the biocatalysis situation in Switzerland evolved within the last four years and what could be the contribution of biocatalysis to address current societal challenges?

30.11.20

Strategies to reduce mycotoxins in grain side product streams

Mycotoxin contamination in feed and food is a major health treat and new strategies to lower their content are necessary.

14.10.20

ZHAW-Forschende trainieren Enzym, das Plastik zersetzt

Das Enzym «PETase» kann Plastik abbauen, ist aber nicht sehr produktiv. ZHAW-Forschende trainieren das Enzym deshalb mittels «gerichteter Evolution», damit es künftig zum Trinkwasseraufbereiten oder Biorecycling genutzt werden kann. Maschinelles…

30.09.20

New INNOSUISSE project: Biocatalytic halogenation for the sustainable development of agrochemicals

We are happy to announce our new INNOSUISSE project in collaboration with Syngenta for the sustainable development of agrochemicals.

05.03.20

The Ene-Reductase Toolbox is growing

Ppo-Er1, a further member to the newly identified subgroup III of the old yellow enzyme family is characterized in our recent publication “Characterization of the Novel Ene Reductase Ppo-Er1 from Paenibacillus Polymyxa” in “Catalysts”.

29.01.20

Exploring the biocatalytic potential of Fe/α-ketoglutaratedependent halogenases

a review by Mortiz Voss, Sumire Honda Malca and Rebecca Buller accepted for publication at "Chemistry - A European Journal".

13.01.20

The Laboratory of Biocatalysis participates in the new National Centre of Competence in Research “Suchcat”

“Suchcat” led by Prof. Javier Pérez-Ramírez (ETHZ) and Prof. Jérôme Waser (EPFL) tries to find new ways to make chemical production more sustainably. The group of Prof. Rebecca Buller will contribute by developing respective biocatalysts.