Nucleotide Biotechnology

Introduction

The Nucleotide Biotechnology group is a junior research group headed by Dr. Christoph Loderer, located at the chair for molecular biotechnology. We are interested in the research and development of biocatalysts for the biosynthesis of non-canonical nucleotides. Research on this topic at the chair is ongoing since 2017 and was confirmed with the official establishment of the junior research group in December 2020. We are a young, dynamic and ambitious group, always looking for motivated scientists on all academic levels to join our quest to solve nature´s mysteries and to make use of this knowledge for the good of our society.

Research

Nucleotides are the building blocks of our genetic material, the DNA. A genetic code with four canonical nucleotides A, C, G and T is coding for hereditary information of all known life. In addition, nucleotides are involved in other important processes of life such as energy conservation and Information processing. In order to manipulate these central processes of life, non-canonical nucleotides can be utilized. Non-canonical nucleotides are compound that are similar to the four canonical nucleotides but have significant structural differences. Such compounds may be applied as pharmaceuticals or for the investigation of biological processes. The junior research group Nucleotide Biotechnology is engaged in the research and development of biocatalyst for the biosynthesis of non-canonical nucleotides.

To this end, we use that tools that nature has developed for these purposes. A large variety of enzyme in charge of the chemical conversion of nucleotide in all known forms of life and some viruses. Our approach is to explore how these natural enzymes may be applied for the synthesis of important nucleotides. And if the natural enzymes are not capable of performing the desired tasked, we apply the methods of enzyme engineering to equip these enzymes with the necessary abilities.

Team 

The team currently consists of the group leader, one PhD-student and two graduate students. The contacts are located on the Team page.

Publications

The scientific progress of the group is published in notable scientific journals. The publications of the group and the group leader are listed on the Publications page.

Funding

The junior research group Nucleotide Biotechnology is supported financially by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), the Fonds der chemischen Industrie (FCI) and the Forschungspool of TU Dresden.