Prof. Ulrich Schwaneberg from the Institute of Biotechnology of RWTH Aachen University visited Tianjin Institute of Biotechnology (TIB), Chinese Academy of Science at the invitation of Professor WANG Qinhong and gave a lecture on 20th March , 2014.
The lecture entitled “Highlights in Protein Engineering”, was hosted by Associate Professor TU Ran. Before the presentation, the director-general, Professor MA Yanhe, awarded the “Visiting Professorship for Senior International Scientists” certificate to Professor Schwaneberg. During the presentation, Professor Schwaneberg showed highlights of protein reengineering research at the RWTH Aachen University, the DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, and the Bioeconomy Science Center. As first enzyme class results on monooxygenase reengineering for improving solvent tolerance, inverting selectivity, and obtaining direct hydroxylation of aromatic compounds were presented. Subsequently a first salt activation trigger to boost cellulase activity was presented and explained on a molecular level. As research highlight of protein reengineering for material science applications, the FhuA channel protein, an iron transporter located in the outer E. coli membrane, was introduced into polymer vesicles and acted as gate to release encapsulates drugs upon an external trigger. The combination of protein engineering with polymer science to generate biohybrid systems represents a novel and attractive research field to employ protein as materials and not for synthesis applications. Finally the Bioeconomy Science Center was introduced which offers exciting opportunities for collaborations with the TIB.
Background: Professor Schwaneberg is the head of the Institute of Biotechnology in RWTH Aachen University, member of the board of directors within the DWI-Leibniz Institute, and the Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC). He has nearly 20-years research experience in Protein Engineering and developed many unique protein engineering methods. He has published more than 120 papers and generated more than 20 patents mostly with companies such as BASF, Evonik, Roche, DSM and Henkel.
Professor MA Yanhe awarded the “Visiting Professorship for Senior International Scientists” certificate to Professor Schwaneberg
