On June 1, as part of the Dies Academicus, a lecture event was held, organized by the Biotechnology and Chemistry departments of the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences. Alumni Dr. Jan Pippel (NBb05; now at the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research in Braunschweig) and Robert Wodtke (NCd08; now at the Helmholtz Center Dresden-Rossendorf) presented the research findings from their doctoral theses on the structure and functional interactions of proteins and drug molecules. Both studies were conducted in the context of the rational design of novel pharmaceuticals and provided an impressive example of interdisciplinary collaboration between biotechnologists and chemists. In this context, the determination of the three-dimensional structures of proteins lays the foundation for the targeted organic-chemical synthesis of drug molecules.

The new holder of the Chair of General Microbiology at TU Dresden, Prof. Dr. Thorsten Mascher, provided a very interesting overview of the field of synthetic biology. In synthetic biology, scientists attempt to design biological processes using a modular system and assemble them in the laboratory. With the help of what are essentially individual “Lego bricks,” complex biological processes and structures are recreated in order to reprogram cells or redesign them entirely. In this way, for example, American bioengineers from J. Craig Venter’s laboratories have already succeeded in creating an artificial bacterial cell with a minimal set of 531 genes. The discussion focused not only on the rapidly advancing technical possibilities but also on the ethical aspects of such work.

Finally, Martin Lipsdorf, founder of the Laktase campaign in Leipzig, gave a keynote presentation in which he shared his experiences with starting a company and life as a self-employed small business owner in the processing and distribution of a biotechnological product.

The event, which was very good in terms of attendance, was attended by students, staff, and guests. It concluded with bratwurst and beer at Building VI.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Thomas Wiegert