Biological Production Systems

Photosynthetic microorganisms such as microalgae are innovative cell factories for the environmentally benign production of many bio-based chemicals. Such microorganisms are capable to synthesize a wide range of macromolecules, e.g. lipids, carbohydrates, proteins and valuable secondary metabolites from sunlight, carbon dioxide and inorganic nutrients at higher volumetric and areal productivities compared to terrestrial crops. As examples for photosynthetic systems, we have focused our research so far on the β-carotene producing green microalga Dunaliella salina and the siliceous diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. [more]

Synthetic Biology is an exciting field focused on engineering predictable cells and biological systems to perform desired functions, which can be modified, enhanced, or entirely new. The approach involves deconstructing the complexity of biological systems into smaller subsystems and functional modules, followed by redesigning and reassembling them into larger units. This process is analogous to designing a biotechnological or chemical plant (Rollié et al., 2012). In this context, the PSE Group, in collaboration with the EEC Group led by Dr. Tanja Vidaković-Koch, has contributed its expertise in assembling and controlling chemical, energy, and production processes to MaxSynBio. This research consortium included eight other Max Planck Institutes and research groups from Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen-Nuremberg and the University of Bordeaux. It was jointly funded by the Max Planck Society and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research in Germany. Building on the successes of MaxSynBio, the PSE Group's synthetic cell research has evolved into the Artificial Life-like Systems Team (ALLS). [more]