Prof. Dr. Johannes Rebelein

At the Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology (IMET), we use and develop methods in synthetic biology, enzyme engineering, and metabolic engineering to establish biotechnological processes. Our work focuses on the discovery, characterization, and optimization of enzymes, as well as on creating tailor-made bacterial cell factories that can be used for sustainable production processes in industrial biotechnology and chemical industries.

A key focus is on metalloenzymes – an enzyme class that comprises around half of all enzymes. The most important metalloenzymes contain complex iron–sulfur clusters and catalyze key steps in the global carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles. Therefore, they are central to sustainable processes such as CO₂ fixation, fertilizer production, and the generation of renewable fuels, bulk chemicals, and value-added products.

To unlock the potential of these enzymes, we combine a broad methodological toolbox: from identifying new biocatalysts using AI-assisted analysis of (meta)genomics data and activity-based enzyme screenings, to structure determination by cryo-electron microscopy, crystallography, and spectroscopy, and finally targeted optimization through computational design and directed evolution. In addition, we establish new expression systems for oxygen-sensitive metalloenzymes and develop genetic tools – such as light-controlled promoter/regulator systems – as well as reporters and biosensors to precisely monitor and control enzyme activities and metabolic processes in vivo with high temporal resolution.