We are studying non-canonical amino acids in the context of bacterial physiology and synthetic microbiology. In this regard investigate, on the one hand, mechanisms underlying the bacterial translational stress response and how to utilize this knowledge to improve production of proteins with non-canonical amino acids. On the other hand, we are interested in the microbiological potential to naturally extend proteome boundaries beyond translation.

Specifically, my research focusses on two types of post-translational modifications: At first, we aim to unveil novel prokaryotic sugar modifications and identify corresponding processive enzymes along with their molecular roles on protein biochemistry. We will ultimately employ these glycosyltransferases to reproduce eukaryotic glycan patterns in bacteria, being essential to express functional biologicals in bacteria. Second, we have a keen interest in advanced glycation end products with respect to their importance for protein function and in terms of bacterial metabolism. This is especially important for their removal from thermally processed food as well to unravel molecular fundamental in aging and age-related disease.