Proteins and peptides for industry
Proteins, as biobased and environmentally friendly products, are used in many industries, e.g., in food and beverage industry, in cosmetics and detergents, in the chemicals industry and many more. The range of potential markets is huge, however, the tailored production of proteins for industrial purposes has its technical challenges. To manage these challenges, we combine technologies and expertise from diverse disciplines, such as molecular biology, protein-engineering and synthetic biology.

Proteins, Peptides & Enzymes
Proteins are ubiquitous biological macromolecules that are made of long, linked chains of amino acids which are linked by peptide bonds. Short amino acid chains are called peptides. Proteins serve all living organisms as tools and materials for executing different tasks. Some proteins, called enzymes, catalyze chemical reactions by lowering their activation energy. In contrast to chemical catalysis, some enzymes are stereo-specific and, hence, allow the evolution of only one stereoisomeric bond out of two or more possible bonds. From this reaction, only one possible product configuration is established, which is entirely biodegradable, and which does not produce byproducts. Through this process, less resources are required for the purification of the products and disposal of enzymes, leading to a decreased environmental impact. Not only is the environmental impact lowered, but bioconversion is often more efficient and more cost-effective, compared to chemical procedures. In addition, a great number of enzymes is already bed down in industrial applications.
Networks
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Advanced Proteins
We can find proteins anywhere in nature in abundance. This class of molecules has many different functions, for instance as catalysts,…
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Technofunctional Proteins — TeFuProt
The TeFuProt project partners intend to isolate proteins from agricultural residual plant materials, especially from canola oil production.…
News
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On July 1, 2025, the winners of this year’s NEULAND innovation competition were announced as part of the NEULAND Knowledge Week. Three innovative projects were selected from the numerous submissions…
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Cellulose instead of Crude Oil: Team with Participation of TU Graz Develops Sustainable Foams
11.07.2025NewsAn international research team has developed certified biodegradable and recyclable multi-purpose foams.
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New discovery sheds light on the bacterial use of biomass with potential for biofuels and new antibiotics
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Using light to break down and bind CO2: two new research groups want to make what nature already does much more efficient
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After four years of impactful collaboration, the European project BIOMAC – European Sustainable BIO-based nanoMAterials Community is concluding its EU-funded phase. With over €14 million in support…
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European Bioplastics published a paper on the Industrial use of agricultural materials as feedstock for biobased plastics.
18.06.2025NewsThe transition to a bio-based economy is crucial for achieving the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050. Bioplastics, which can be bio-based, biodegradable, or both, play a key role by replacing…
Events
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27. — 28 June 2022 | Munich
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18. ‑19 May 2022 | Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina Halle (Saale)
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22th — 23th February 2023 I Düsseldorf