Next Generation Bioproduction

The main objective in this project is to develop a modular platform of whole cell biocatalysts that allows the assembly of a set of about structurally very similar 20 target molecules from simple, renewable small molecules (C1-C3 bodies and ammonium). To do so, existing catalyst collections need to be evaluated and their activities mapped to these substrates.

Key to this objective is the development of reliable analytical methodology, which is challenging due to low UV response, fairly high volatility, fairly high water affinity (solubility), low stability/high reactivity of the involved substrates and intermediates (particularly in water).

It is likely that the existing catalyst collection that includes carboligases, alcohol dehydrogenases, carboxylic acid reductases, transaminases and amine dehydrogenases will not suffice to cover all desired transformations. Therefore, it is necessary to extend the existing toolbox – either to use known enzymes from literature in new applications, or to select new enzymes rationally from public databases.

In selected cases, protein engineering will be done to increase activity, operational stability and expression levels simultaneously. Ultimately, on top of every single-step biocatalytic reaction exhibiting high space-time yield, the cascade must improve the efficiency of atom circulation (co-factor and co-substrate regeneration) thus also improving the economic feasibility.