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Biography
1994-1995 Basic studies in Biology at the Johannes-Guternberg University Mainz, Germany; 1995-1998 Studies of Microbiology at the Philipps University Marburg, Germany, 1997 Erasums/Sokrates exchange program with the University of Oxford, UK; 1998 Diploma in Microbiology at the Philipps University Marburg, Germany; 1998-2001 PhD student at the Phillips University Marburg, Germany; 2001 Research Associate at the Phillips University Marburg, Germany; 2001-2005 Assistant Professor at the Leibniz University Hannover, Germany; 2005 Advanced Training at the Institute Pasteur, Paris, France, 2005-2006 Group leader "Biochemistry and Physiology of Filamentous Fungi" at the Department for Molecular and Applied Microbiology at the Leibniz Institute for Natural product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany; 2006-2011 Independent research group leader "Microbial Biochemistry and Physiology" at the Leibniz Institute for Natural product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany; 2010 Venia Legendi at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany; 2011-2012 Head of the research group "Microbial Biochemistry and Physiology" at the Leibniz Institute for Natural product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany; 2012-2015 Head of the research group "Microbial Biochemistry and Physiology" at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany; since 2015 Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham in the Fungal Biology and Genetics Group
Expertise Summary
The following key aspects are studied in the group:
- Metabolic physiology of fungi during infection processes
- In vivo bioluminescence imaging of fungal infections
- Interactions of Aspergillus species with immune cells
- Secondary metabolite production by Aspergillus terreus
- Heterologous secondary metabolite production in Aspergillus niger
Teaching Summary
Teaching includes all aspects of fungi. This includes the production of toxins as well as antibiotics or psychedelic drugs, fungal infections of plants, humans, insects and nematodes,… read more
Research Summary
The group focuses on filamentous fungi and yeasts that are of medical or industrial importance. We establish and develop tailored bioluminescence imaging systems to study the pathogenicity of human… read more
Selected Publications
Teaching includes all aspects of fungi. This includes the production of toxins as well as antibiotics or psychedelic drugs, fungal infections of plants, humans, insects and nematodes, biotechnological exploitation as producers of enzymes and small molecules and immune interactions of fungal pathogens. Basic contents are delivered in first and second year lectures and practicals. Advanced content and integration into research is realized in 3rd and 4th year projects.
Current Research
The group focuses on filamentous fungi and yeasts that are of medical or industrial importance. We establish and develop tailored bioluminescence imaging systems to study the pathogenicity of human pathogenic fungi. These systems are used by collaboration partners in different countries to study disease progression and therapeutic options in in vitro and in vivo model systems. The second focus is on the exploitation of the pharmaceutical potential of secondary metabolites from fungal or synthetic sources. A special emphasis is given on the investigation of NRPS-like enzymes that produce bioactive small molecules that are used by the natural producer for stress protection, quorum sensing or pathogenicity. However, several of these molecules have a great potential as pharmaceutical drugs due to anti-viral and antibiotic effects or as drugs in type II diabetes treatment. We have developed new heterologous expression systems in Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae that allow rapid cloning and high-level expression of heterologous genes for investigating these enzymes. In addition, by combining genes from different organisms and changing the cultivation conditions, we are able to produce "novel-to-nature" metabolites that are investigated for their biological activities.
Future Research
In a BBSRC-funded research project we aim to understand the enzymatic mechanisms of metabolite production from non-reducing NRPS-like enzymes with the aim to modify the proteins for a tailor made production of new compounds. This interdisciplinary project involves researchers with expertise in molecular and synthetic biology, chemistry, dynamic modeling and pharmacy.