© Universität Bielefeld
Research
New catalytic reactions by directed enzyme evolution
Our research group combines methods from organic chemistry, protein biochemistry and directed evolution to design, apply and understand new enzyme function. Completely new catalytic reactions can be envisioned in enzymes, because their macromolecular structure enables a very high level of molecular recognition to control catalytic cycles. Reaction discovery and development in enzyme active sites benefit from the ability to precisely bind substrates in defined conformations, to guide competing reactions pathways and to control highly reactive intermediates such as carbocations and radicals.
We aim to develop a new class of catalysts for synthetic organic chemistry that is protein-based, fully genetically encoded and catalyzes fundamental C-C, C-N and C-O bond formations that do not have a good catalytic solution. These new enzymes will potentially be applied in organic synthesis, increase our understanding in enzymology and can expand the metabolism in living organisms.
Selected Publications
Engineered enzymes enable selective N‐alkylation of pyrazoles with simple haloalkanes
Bengel LL, Aberle B, Egler-Kemmerer AN, Kienzle S, Hauer B, Hammer SC, Angew Chem Int Ed, 2021, 60, 5554. This research article has been highlighted in Synfacts and as HOT Paper by Angewandte Chemie.
Asymmetric Enzymatic Hydration of Unactivated, Aliphatic Alkenes
Demming RM, Hammer SC, Nestl BM, Gergel S, Fademrecht S, Pleiss J, Hauer B, Angew Chem Int Ed, 2019, 58, 173. This research has been highlighted in Synfacts.
Anti-Markovnikov alkene oxidation by metal-oxo–mediated enzyme catalysis
Hammer SC, Kubik G, Watkins E, Huang S, Minges H, Arnold FH. Science 2017, 358, 215. This research has been highlighted in C&EN, Synfacts and in “Chemistry Research of the year 2017”.
Design and evolution of enzymes for non-natural chemistry
Hammer SC, Knight AM, Arnold FH. Curr. Opin. Green Sustain. Chem. 2017, 7, 23. One of the most cited articles in Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry.
Squalene hopene cyclases are protonases for stereoselective Brønsted acid catalysis
Hammer SC, Marjanovic A, Dominicus JM, Nestl BM, Hauer B. Nat. Chem. Biol. 2015, 11.
Team
Chemical Laboratory Assistant
Alina is our Bielefeld local and manages our lab. She joined the group after successfully completing her training as chemical laboratory assistant at Bielefeld University.
PhD Student
Matúš is from Bratislava (Slovakia) and studied biotechnology in Bratislava and Graz. Matúš joined our group after his master thesis with Robert Kourist.
PhD Student
Sebastian is from swabia in southwest Germany. He is a chemist by training and performed his master thesis with Bettina Nestl and Bernhard Hauer.
Kathrin Hörnschemeyer
Master Student
Kathrin is doing her master thesis with us. She is from Emsland in northwest Germany and studies biochemistry with a focus on chemical biology.
PhD Student
Cindy is from Switzerland where she studied chemical biology at ETH Zürich. Cindy joined us after her master thesis with Donald Hilvert.
PhD Student
Felipe comes from Colombia and is a chemist by training. Before joining our group, Felipe worked as lecturer and research assistant with Felipe Otálvaro at Universidad de Antioquia in Medellín.
PhD Student
Kai is from southern Germany, studied technical biochemistry at Stuttgart University and already made an internship in industry (Roche Biocatalysis). He joined us with a DBU PhD scholarship.