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Johannes Rebelein
The microbial Metalloenzyme lab focuses on the unique properties of metal-containing enzymes and in particular nitrogenase and nitrogenase-like proteins, which activate nitrogen (N2), but also CO and CO2. Combining structural and biochemical approaches, we aim to elucidate the underlying principles and mechanisms of metalloenzyme catalysis and use this knowledge to developing new and improved catalysts for the conversion of CO and CO2. In M4C, we are interested in the evolution and engineering of CO2-activating metalloenzymes and their integration into novel metabolic pathways using these unique reactivities for new carbon capture and conversion reactions.
Research Focus:
Microbes as Drivers; Microbes providing Solutions
Key Publication(s):
Ernst L, Barayeu U, Hädeler J, Dick TP, Klatt JM, Keppler, F, *Rebelein JG. Methane formation driven by light and heat prior to the origin of life. Nature Communications 2023. doi: 10.17617/3.6X6JXR
Oehlmann, N.N, Schmidt, FV, Herzog, M, Goldman, AL, *Rebelein JG. The iron nitrogenase reduces carbon dioxide to formate and methane under physiological conditions: A route to feedstock chemicals. Science Advances 10 (33), eado7729 (2024) DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado7729
Schmidt, FV, Schulz, L, Zarzycki, J, Prinz, S, Oehlmann, NN, Erb, TJ, *Rebelein, JG. Structural insights into the iron nitrogenase complex. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 31 (1), S. 150 - 158 (2024) DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01124-2