The HSZG junior research group "BioPlatZ" has become a member of the "4chiral" network.
4chiral is a network for fine chemicals in Central Germany under the motto "our core competence is fine organic synthesis". The network partners come from the fine chemicals and biotechnology sector and have a successful market presence. They can draw on a wealth of experience and extensive technology and analytics. The members of the network (currently over 30 companies, four universities and two universities of applied sciences) engage in a lively exchange on the synthesis of organic fine chemicals and carry out research and development projects in this area. The main areas of work include the development and optimization of new products and technologies, as well as custom syntheses and contract manufacturing of known and new products. One focus of the work is on pharmaceutically relevant enantiomers. The development, optimization and production of catalysts for enzymatic syntheses is also part of the network's area of expertise.
In October 2017, the Biocatalysis Platform Zittau(BioPlatZ) junior research group at the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences began research work on the topic of "Identification of enzymes as biocatalysts and their application in biocatalytic and chemocatalytic processes for the production of fine chemicals" . The project is funded by the European Social Fund and the Sächsische Aufbaubank. The aim of this interdisciplinary project is to develop new energy- and resource-saving synthesis processes for compounds that have high purity requirements in the form of active ingredients.
Using whole cells or isolated enzymes as biocatalysts, selective transformations of starting substances are to be made possible, which in turn serve as basic building blocks for the synthesis of complex chiral molecules. This combination of biotechnological and chemical approaches enables the inclusion of bio-based raw materials in the sustainable, energy and environmentally friendly production of fine chemicals as 'high added-value' products.
The team of the BioPlatZ junior research group consists of six young scientists from Germany, the Czech Republic and Kazakhstan. Specifically, chemo-enzymatic syntheses of 'chiral building blocks' will be investigated over the next three years. Chemo-enzymatic means that both chemical and biological catalysts are used.
The common goal of the BioPlatZ junior research group is to use chemo-enzymatic reactions to produce chemical compounds that have a specific, precisely defined configuration. This means that the structures produced in the junior research group must have a specific three-dimensional arrangement in space in order to be used as 'chiral building blocks'. Chiral building blocks are small molecules with defined stereochemistry that can later be used to create pharmaceutical products, for example active substances to combat high blood pressure.
The junior research team is made up of three disciplines:
Biochemistry is supervised by Professor Annett Fuchs, Organic Chemistry is led by Professor Dieter Greif and Microbiology is headed by Professor Thomas Wiegert. This constellation allows each discipline to contribute its expertise.
Professor Wiegert is able to modify microorganisms in such a way that a specific reaction can be achieved. Professor Fuchs takes over the genetically optimized strains and carries out a screening. Professor Greif then carries out the chemical reactions and obtains the desired products.