Functional annotation of biocatalysts – from gene to product
Prof. Dirk Tischler leads the Microbial Biotechnology laboratory within the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology at the Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. His interdisciplinary team is working on describing biological systems, focusing on their applications in both industrial and environmental biotechnology. In the next couple of lines, Prof. Tischler talks about his research, passion for flavoprotein monooxygenases, and the exciting future of predictive biotechnology.
Prof. Tischler’s team is dedicated to exploring the vast potential of enzymes and pathways in soil (actino)bacteria, such as Rhodococcus and Gordonia. These bacteria have large genomes with many genes yet to be assigned a metabolic function. “They have the capacity to degrade or functionalize many xenobiotics and toxic compounds, making them a treasure trove of powerful enzymes,” Dirk explains. These enzymes are not only valuable for their biodegradative potential but also for their ability to act as biocatalysts, creating fine and bulk chemicals in a more environmentally friendly way.
At this intersection of biology and technology, Dirk sees a wealth of challenges and opportunities. His major goal for the future is to predict the functionality of enzymes based on their encoding sequences—a process known as functional annotation. “We’re getting better and better at it,” he says. Functional annotation offers insights into the metabolic power of organisms and how enzymes can be used in artificial contexts to drive catalysis. Extending these predictions to complete processes initiate the era of predictive biotechnology.
When asked about his favorite class of enzymes, Dirk quickly responds with flavoprotein monooxygenases, particularly the two-component types initiating microbial styrene and indole degradation. His fascination with these proteins dates back to his doctoral studies, and he continues to uncover new features.
Dirk’s journey began at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg in Germany, where he studied applied natural science. “I didn’t want to focus too early on chemistry, biology, or physics. I wanted it all and decided later,” he says. His desire to apply knowledge led him to choose environmental microbiology, biotechnology, and environmental analytics as his focal points.
From his third semester, Dirk started supervising students in courses and later acted as a tutor, laying the foundation for his interest in teaching and priming him for an academic career. “You need chemistry and physics to go deeper into biochemistry and biology, especially when combining biological and technological aspects in biotechnology or biocatalysis,” he notes.
In 2008, Dirk began his doctoral studies focusing on the microbial removal of styrene, initiated by the styrene monooxygenase in bacteria. Despite not having a dedicated biochemistry background, he adapted and learned through visits to the Biochemistry Laboratories at Wageningen and San Francisco. These visits not only initiated fruitful collaborations but also forged friendships with supervisors Willem van Berkel and George Gassner.
“Participating in the international conference series ‘Flavins and Flavoproteins’ in Berkeley, 2011, solidified my commitment to the field of flavoproteins,” Dirk recalls. Now, he combines his passion for flavin-dependent enzymes with his interest in functional annotation, contributing novel active and stable biocatalysts to the field.
“In the future, we won’t only predict functionality; we’ll design enzymes on demand,” he says. Enzymes are crucial in addressing global challenges, from converting renewable feedstocks into various bioproducts to creating greener industrial processes. With advancements in functional annotation and predictive biotechnology, Dirk envisions a future where the metabolic power of organisms is harnessed more efficiently, driving innovation in both industrial and environmental biotechnology.
Link to Prof. Dirk Tischler’s research group: https://www.mbt.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/
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