In CEFOX, a unique synthesis platform for the cell-free expression of tailor-made oxyfunctionalizing peroxygenases based on fungal lysates has been successfully developed, patented and applied for specific conversion of lipids, terpenoids and alkaloids. The main objective of CEFOX II is to transfer these results into enzyme-based processes to provide bioactive lipid-molecules and tailor-made building blocks for pharmaceutical chemistry. Central tasks are i) the validated extraction (JenaBios GmbH) of arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from bio-based resources such as algae, fungi and lichens as non-animal feedstock in ii) environmentally friendly enzymatic one-pot processes based on cell-free expressed UPOs, which sustainable substitute conventional multi-step synthesis processes for oxyfunctionalization. iii) Novel chemicals and drug molecules are produced and the synthesis of most promising candidates will be optimized and scaled up by Chiracon GmbH and Dynamic42 GmbH in order to test them for their pharmaceutical and industrial utility. Tailored UPOs are expected to produce high value-added lipid mediators such as 14,15-EET (antiphlogistic), 19-HETE, (antihypertensive), 17,18-EEQ (antiarrhythmic) and resolvin RvE3 (preeclampsia biomarker) as bio-based drug candidates, early preeclampsia diagnostics, analytical reference standards and base molecules. The high interdisciplinary and expertise of the CEFOXII consortium enables the implementation of bio-based molecules in value chains and process steps of the pharmaceutical and chemical industry. The planned products and bioprocesses of cell-free UPO catalysis offer genuine competitive advantages over existing fossil-based technologies and serve as an excellent example and entry portal for the transition to a sustainable Bioeconomy.

Duration 2023-2026

In CEFOX, a unique synthesis platform for the cell-free expression of tailor-made oxyfunctionalizing peroxygenases based on fungal lysates has been successfully developed, patented and applied for specific conversion of lipids, terpenoids and alkaloids. The main objective of CEFOX II is to transfer these results into enzyme-based processes to provide bioactive lipid-molecules and tailor-made building blocks for pharmaceutical chemistry. Central tasks are i) the validated extraction (JenaBios GmbH) of arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from bio-based resources such as algae, fungi and lichens as non-animal feedstock in ii) environmentally friendly enzymatic one-pot processes based on cell-free expressed UPOs, which sustainable substitute conventional multi-step synthesis processes for oxyfunctionalization. iii) Novel chemicals and drug molecules are produced and the synthesis of most promising candidates will be optimized and scaled up by Chiracon GmbH and Dynamic42 GmbH in order to test them for their pharmaceutical and industrial utility. Tailored UPOs are expected to produce high value-added lipid mediators such as 14,15-EET (antiphlogistic), 19-HETE, (antihypertensive), 17,18-EEQ (antiarrhythmic) and resolvin RvE3 (preeclampsia biomarker) as bio-based drug candidates, early preeclampsia diagnostics, analytical reference standards and base molecules. The high interdisciplinary and expertise of the CEFOXII consortium enables the implementation of bio-based molecules in value chains and process steps of the pharmaceutical and chemical industry. The planned products and bioprocesses of cell-free UPO catalysis offer genuine competitive advantages over existing fossil-based technologies and serve as an excellent example and entry portal for the transition to a sustainable Bioeconomy.

Duration 2023-2026

In CEFOX, a unique synthesis platform for the cell-free expression of tailor-made oxyfunctionalizing peroxygenases based on fungal lysates has been successfully developed, patented and applied for specific conversion of lipids, terpenoids and alkaloids. The main objective of CEFOX II is to transfer these results into enzyme-based processes to provide bioactive lipid-molecules and tailor-made building blocks for pharmaceutical chemistry. Central tasks are i) the validated extraction (JenaBios GmbH) of arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from bio-based resources such as algae, fungi and lichens as non-animal feedstock in ii) environmentally friendly enzymatic one-pot processes based on cell-free expressed UPOs, which sustainable substitute conventional multi-step synthesis processes for oxyfunctionalization. iii) Novel chemicals and drug molecules are produced and the synthesis of most promising candidates will be optimized and scaled up by Chiracon GmbH and Dynamic42 GmbH in order to test them for their pharmaceutical and industrial utility. Tailored UPOs are expected to produce high value-added lipid mediators such as 14,15-EET (antiphlogistic), 19-HETE, (antihypertensive), 17,18-EEQ (antiarrhythmic) and resolvin RvE3 (preeclampsia biomarker) as bio-based drug candidates, early preeclampsia diagnostics, analytical reference standards and base molecules. The high interdisciplinary and expertise of the CEFOXII consortium enables the implementation of bio-based molecules in value chains and process steps of the pharmaceutical and chemical industry. The planned products and bioprocesses of cell-free UPO catalysis offer genuine competitive advantages over existing fossil-based technologies and serve as an excellent example and entry portal for the transition to a sustainable Bioeconomy.

Duration 2023-2026

The main objective of JaBaS is to develop an innovative coating and fabrication process for micro- and nanostructured semiconductor sensor arrays based on geometrically and chemically anisotropic polymerbased biohybrid Janus particles with directional immobilization of peroxygenase-type oxyfunctionalizing
biocatalysts. The "double-headed" immobilization technique will provide access to previously unused oxidoreductases for electrochemical biosensing because cofactor generation occurs directly on the nanoparticle. Unlike conventional particles used in materials science and analytics, double-headed Janus particles offer asymmetry and directionality and can even combine incompatible properties within a single particle. The surface anisotropy of these particles spatially decouples analytical functions (e.g., target immobilization and sensing) that would otherwise be difficult to combine in a single particle, creating these unique properties and functions and opening opportunities for novel multimodal analytical methods. In particular, the ease of functional modification on the specific surface of Janus particles will allow the unique catalytic properties of non-specific peroxygenases (UPOs, EC 1.11.2.1) to be exploited with respect to the electrochemical quantification of bioactive molecules, including resistance-inducing substances (including those from disinfectants), laying the foundation for an innovative future technology. The envisaged test
systems will be able to detect even low concentrations of active pharmaceutical ingredients and pollutants that usually cause the first, sometimes irreparable, damage to aquatic organisms, which can be crucial for the ecotoxicological assessment of environmental pollution caused by active substances.

Duration 2021-2024

New strategies are needed in order to continue to enable profitable and sustainable agriculture in regions that are particularly affected by climate change. By establishing a new economic sector in Lusatia, which is based on the use, processing and marketing of wild plants. A new, more profitable way of land use is to be created in the region. The aim of this research project is to use native and climate-adapted wild plants as a basis for the development of new types of value chains in Lusatia: from pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals to the food industry and cosmetics. As a result of this project, an innovation centre for wild plant cultivation is also to be established in Lusatia, which will act as a demonstrator to ensure the transfer of knowledge and will be used as a central contact point for further education in the use of wild plants in Lusatia. In order to create new marketing opportunities in the future, we want to work directly with regional companies to develop innovative solutions for the region.

Duration 2021-2024

The main objective of the CEFOX project is the development of new synthesis tools based on cell-free expressed and tailored oxidoreductases (mainly peroxygenases from fungi) in order to provide innovative solutions for the elimination of existing bottlenecks in the production of biogenic, terpenoid active ingredients and their metabolites (including APIs, modified steroids, etc.) and biomass-based building blocks (derivatized fatty acids and glycerides/lipids as additives). In this context, the special, partly unique properties of the targeted biocatalysts are to be exploited in a targeted manner, either alone or in intelligent enzyme cascades. Later, in a second phase, their industrial suitability will be demonstrated and selected representatives integrated into future lighthouse technologies. The CEFOX consortium is focusing on finding a novel variety of oxidative biocatalysts resulting from the growing number of decoded fungal genomes. In addition to genomes from databases, the project will specifically sequence new fungi for the cell-free synthesis platform and analyze them with respect to peroxygenases and other enzymes. Of particular interest are previously non-commercialized, self-sufficient heme thiolate peroxygenases, which will be made available through cell-free protein biosynthesis and will act as a versatile tool for functional genomics. So far, cell-free protein synthesis has been performed using human, animal or plant cell lysates and will also be performed with fungal cell components during the course of the project. In perspective, cell-free synthesis of other high-performance proteins is possible, such as special membrane and glycoproteins, as well as chip-based protein synthesis.

Duration 2020-2023

The Fraunhofer Project Group PZ-Syn, with the collaboration of Prof. K. Scheibner and the Fraunhofer IZI-BB, will be working over the next few years on the development of new biotechnological processes for the production of highly effective proteins. Purified proteins play an increasing role as pharmacological agents in the pharmaceutical industry and as highly specific biocatalysts for the production of fine and specialty chemicals in the chemical industry. The new technology portfolio, which is based on the expertise of partners at the Technical University of Dresden, the Fraunhofer IZI-BB and the Institute of Biotechnology at the BTU, will make it possible for the first time to scale up protein productions in a very well controllable cell-free system for industrial applications.

The establishment of the branch office will intensify the cooperation between the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the BTU and thus make a positive contribution to the structural change of Lusatia towards a sustainable industrial region in the future.

Duration: 2018-2023