Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Metalloenzymes encompass the evolutionary oldest and most important classes of enzymes. Roughly half of all enzymes contain metals. We characterize and engineer metalloenzymes to elucidate the underlaying principals and mechanisms of metalloenzyme catalysis. The group focuses on the activation of nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) by the enzyme nitrogenase. Harnessing theses insights, we engineer metalloenzymes to develop improved catalysts for the production of bulk chemicals, including fertilizer (NH3), hydrocarbons (C2H4, C3H8, C4H10) and hydrogen (H2). The long-term goal is to develop novel metabolic pathways using these unique reactivities. We are currently looking for PhD students and postdocs to start as soon as July 2020. Join my group Microbial Metalloenzymes at the MPI in Marburg! https://www.mpi-marburg.mpg.de/859249/Johannes-Rebelein
Metalloenzymes encompass the evolutionary oldest and most important classes of enzymes. Roughly half of all enzymes contain metals. We characterize and engineer metalloenzymes to elucidate the underlaying principals and mechanisms of metalloenzyme catalysis. The group focuses on the activation of nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) by the enzyme nitrogenase. Harnessing theses insights, we engineer metalloenzymes to develop improved catalysts for the production of bulk chemicals, including fertilizer (NH3), hydrocarbons (C2H4, C3H8, C4H10) and hydrogen (H2). The long-term goal is to develop novel metabolic pathways using these unique reactivities. We are currently looking for PhD students and postdocs. Join my group Microbial Metalloenzymes at the MPI in Marburg! https://www.mpi-marburg.mpg.de/859249/Johannes-Rebelein
I am studying the biofuel formation of nitrogenase proteins by investigating the conversion of the industrial exhaust CO and the greenhouse gas CO2 to combustible fuels. My goal is to better understand the binding, activation and conversion of CO and CO2 into hydrocarbons fuels by the nitrogenase cofactor - FeVco, the biggest metal cluster known in nature. These insights will help us to tune and improve the hydrocarbon fuel formation. A variety of techniques and approaches are employed to achieve these goals: - Genetic engineering - Enzyme Assays - Metal Analysis (ICP-OES) - Chromatography (GC-FID, GC-MS, LC-MS) - Spectroscopic techniques such as UV/Vis and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) - Crystallography - Anaerobic protein purification - Fermentation of aerotolerant and strict anaerobic bacteria in bioreactors of various sizes 10L - 250L - Analysis of iron-sulfur cluster containing proteins - Trained, instructed and mentored five bachelor and five master students in experimental design, microbiological, biochemical and spectroscopic techniques
- Instructed 3 general microbiology labs (20 students each) - Instructed a biochemistry lab (20 students) - Taught basic microbiology skills and techniques including sterile technique, enrichment processes, gram staining, microscopy and bacteria identification - Taught protein purification, enzyme kinetics, crystallization -Led discussion sections and encouraged critical thinking of 40 students in the field of microbiology and biochemistry
- Patient care - First aid - Monitored patients - Drew blood - Assisted doctors - Drove ambulance