Prof. Dr. Lars M. Blank

 

Applied Microbiology

We work on contributions to the bioeconomy. The long term goal is rational whole-cell biocatalyst engineering. This requires a solid understanding of the operation of the underlying metabolic network.

 

Expertise

Applied microbiology, with focus on Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology.
Engineering microbial whole-cell biocatalysts for the synthesis of valuable molecules from renewable resources. Metabolic network modelling (from optimization of microbes to pathogen – host interaction investigations via multi-scale modelling (molecular mechanism, cell, tissue, organism).
Advanced analytics of microbial metabolism (including stable isotope-based flux analysis via GC-MS, GC-MS/MS).

 

Need

The choice of valuable compounds is not trivial for us; hence a clear motivation for valuable compounds is highly welcome. High performing enzymes or expertise in structure/function relationships, advanced massspectroscopy, NMR and next generation sequencing. Small molecule purification from fermentation broth. Microbial infection expertise.

 

References

1. Halbfeld C, Ebert BE, Blank LM. Multi-capillary column-ion mobility spectrometry of volatile metabolites emitted by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Metabolites. 2014;4(3):751-74
2. Förster J, Halbfeld C, Zimmermann M, Blank LM. A blueprint of the amino acid biosynthesis network of hemiascomycetes. FEMS Yeast Res. 2014;14(7):1090-100
3. Ebert BE, Blank LM. Successful downsizing for high-throughput ¹³C-MFA applications. Methods Mol Biol. 2014;1191:127-42
4. Geiser E, Wiebach V, Wierckx N, and Blank LM. Prospecting the biodiversity of the fungal family Ustilaginaceae for the production of value-added chemicals. Fungal Biol. Biotech. 2014; 1:2
5. Cordes H, Thiel C, Blank LM, Küpfer L. Modellierung metabolischer Netzwerke im menschlichen Körper, BIOspektrum (non-peerreviewed), 2014; 20 (1):39-41