\n\nWithin the added-value chain, the carbon source is variable. carbon dioxide is not the only option here, all monocarbons (C1 building blocks) come into question: carbon monoxide, formic acid, formaldehyde, methanol and methane. However, almost all of these substances are highly toxic – either to living organisms (carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, methanol) or to the planet (methane as a greenhouse gas). Only formic acid, when neutralised to its base formate, is tolerated by many microorganisms in high concentrations.\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n “It takes some creativity to discover so-called promiscuous enzymes with multiple functions,” says Tobias Erb. “However, the discovery of candidate enzymes is only the beginning. We’re talking about reactions that you can count along with since they’re so slow – in some cases, less than one reaction per second per enzyme. Natural reactions can happen a thousand times faster.” This is where synthetic biochemistry comes in, says Maren Nattermann: “If you know an enzyme\u2019s structure and mechanism, you know where to intervene. Here, we benefit significantly from the preliminary work of our colleagues in basic research.”\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |