Microbial Metalloenzymes
Dr. Johannes Rebelein
Research Area
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 underlying principals and mechanisms of metalloenzyme catalysis. The group focuses on the activation of nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) by the enzyme nitrogenase. Harnessing these insights, we engineer metalloenzymes to develop improved catalysts for the production of bulk chemicals, including fertilizer (NH3), hydrocarbons (CH4, C2H4, C3H8, C4H10) and hydrogen (H2). The long-term goal is to understand and engineer these unique metalloenzymes to develop novel metabolic pathways using these reactivities.
