Projekt

In conventional polymer design, function is either being introduced in the synthesis process or via post-functionalization employing standard organic synthesis routes. Although being only available in small numbers, the end-group of a polymer is predominantly the designated target for introducing functionality beyond intrinsic polymer properties. The non-functional polymer backbone is often either too inert or cannot be targeted by functionalization reagents at pre-defined locations. Therefore, we will explore cell-free bio-catalysis based on pre-screened, tailored enzymes to modify hard-to-functionalize, low-reactive polymers with functional groups. Thus, the range of a polymer's function and consequently of application will be significantly extended. The particular focus will not be on targeting the limited number of polymer end-groups, but on targeting the polymer's backbone made of repetitive monomer units, which may allow for precisely tuning the number of functionalized positions. Most importantly, enzymes that have previously been utilized mainly to introduce functional groups to low-molecular weight substrates will be explored to target abiological/synthetic polymers with high molecular weight. This disruptive approach is envisioned to be transferable to improve performance, applicability and bioavailability of leading polymer systems. Tackling the challenge of an accelerating demand for highly specialized, multifunctional polymers by introducing biocatalytic functionalization to synthetic polymers is our change of course for polymer material design and cell-free biocatalysis, adding distinct new directions of research to both fields.

• Dr. Julian Thiele

  Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung
  Dresden e.V.
  Institut für Physikalische Chemie
  und Physik der Polymere
  Dresden
  

• Dr. Anika Kaufmann

  Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung
  Dresden e.V.
  Institut für Physikalische Chemie
  und Physik der Polymere
  Dresden
  

• Prof. Dr. Marion Ansorge-Schumacher

  Technische Universität Dresden
  Fachbereich Biologie
  Professur für Molekulare Biotechnologie
  Dresden