Research

Energy and metabolic modules, enzymatic cascades for synthetic living systems, CO₂ capture and conversion, artificial photosynthetis.

Within the MaxSynBio network we develop novel processes for the capture and conversion of inorganic carbon into living organic matter. One example is the CETCH cycle, an artificial metabolic network for the fixation of CO₂. We closely collaborate with the group of Kai Sundmacher to develop a system understanding of our artificial metabolic networks and to optimize their performance. Together with the Sundmacher group, we aim at coupling our artificial CO₂fixation processes to different energy modules. In collaboration with the group of Jean-Christophe Barret, we aim at miniaturizing and spatially confining our CO₂fixation process to create a functional mimic of the chloroplast, a cellular structure whose metabolic activity can be controlled in time an space by light.