Recently published
Learning from Nature: Hydrogen Splitting in the Presence of Oxygen
The search for alternative energy sources has brought hydrogenases into the focus of future biotechnological applications. Hydrogenases are metalloenzymes that either oxidize or generate molecular hydrogen.
In an interdisciplinary project between microbiologists (CNRS Marseille), spectroscopists (MPI for Bioinorganic Chemistry, Mülheim) and theoretical chemists (MPI for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Magdeburg) the enzyme was investigated during the catalytic process.
Spectroscopic and computational studies at the active site show that hydrogen turnover is more facile and faster than in other comparable hydrogenases.
The thermostable and thermally activatable [NiFe] hydrogenase from the bacterium Aquifex aeolicus exhibits an active site similar to that of standard hydrogenases, however with improved oxygen tolerance and increased catalytic ability.
These extraordinary features make the investigated enzyme of particular interest for biotechnological applications.
Original Publication
Maria-Eirini Pandelia, Pascale Infossi, Matthias Stein, Marie-Thérèse Giudici-Orticoni and Wolfgang Lubitz.
Spectroscopic characterization of the key catalytic intermediate Ni–C in the O2-tolerant [NiFe] hydrogenase I from Aquifex aeolicus: evidence of a weakly bound hydride, Chem. Commun., 2012, 48, 823-825.
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The Role of Systems Engineering in Synthetic Biology
Biology has made enormous progress in understanding the processes in living organisms. The next step will be to use this knowledge in order to purposefully and safely design new micro-organisms.
Possible fields of applications may be medicine or renewable energies. This novel emerging branch of science is termed Synthetic Biology.
In autumn 2010, scientists from the groups Process Systems Engineering and Process Synthesis and Process Dynamics co-organized and participated in a conference in Shanghai, where international leading experts discussed the chances and risks of Synthetic Biology.
A recent publication reviews the state of the art in Synthetic Biology from an engineering perspective.
Systems Engineering has a strong expertise in structuring, designing and optimizing technical processes.
It is shown that this expertise can contribute significantly to Synthetic Biology.
Original Publication
Sascha Rollié, Michael Mangold, Kai Sundmacher (2012):
Designing biological systems – Systems Engineering meets Synthetic Biology. Chemical Engineering Science, vol. 69, pp. 1-29,
doi:10.1016/j.ces.2011.10.068
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