A key aspect of biotechnology is the use of wild-type and engineered enzymes and cells to convert low-value precursors into high-value products and to control and remove pollutants from the environment.

Research groups are seeking to identify novel or poorly characterized organisms and catalytic activities. The results will go into the development of novel strategies for the production of enzyme and whole-cell-based fine chemicals, bioactive compounds, (bio)polymers and the bioconversion of waste or pollutants in confined reactors and polluted environments.

Parallel to these experimental approaches is the construction of mathematical models and statistical methods that can analyze biological networks.

Current research areas are:

• Enzymatic synthesis of chiral products, synthons, polymers, cofactors and pharmacologically relevant molecules
• Polyhydroxybutyrate biosynthesis in Azotobacter vinelandii for biodegradable plastic
• Silk fibroin for biomedical products from certifiable cocoons
• Enzyme and whole-cell-mediated synthesis of flavor enhancers
• Isolation of novel strains for bioremediation of polluted environmental sites and matrices
• Development of strains and biofermentation for industrial bioproducts
• Biotransformation of organic pollutants with whole and immobilized cells and enzymes

A recent addition to the research platform is a Molecular Microbial Ecology Platform for discovering novel microorganisms and related genes in underexplored environments for potential application in bioremediation and bioprocesses of industrial relevance.