From bacterium to biofactory

Cells can be classified into two groups: simple cells, like bacteria, and higher cells, such as those of plants, animals, and humans. They differ among other things with regard to their internal structure: Higher cells contain organelles that -- like organs in the human body -- serve special functions.. Mitochondria, for instance, provide energy, while the lysosomes of animal cells and the vacuoles of plant cells are responsible for breaking down substances.

Organelles are composed primarily of lipids -- substances like fats and oils, so-called secondary gene products for which there is no direct blueprint in the genome. Instead, however, the scientists developed an approach using amphiphilic proteins. Like lipids, they have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts. Thanks to this property, they can self-assemble to form organelle-like compartments inside the cell. The biosynthesis of proteins can be controlled by a blueprint in the form of plasmid DNA. These double-stranded, usually ring-shaped molecules are present in bacteria, thus enabling them to form synthetic organelles.

The approach opens up new possibilities for the study of biomedical processes as well as for applications in biotechnology, chemistry, and pharmacy. "For the first time ever, we have succeeded in forming a new organelle in the cell and equipping it with functions on the basis of rationally designed protein building blocks. This is a fundamentally new approach for biology, biotechnology, and medicine," says Schiller. With the help of chemical reactions that were previously impossible in the cell, scientists now have new means at their disposal for producing biotechnological products. The chemical industry in particular could utilize the functional extension of bacterial cells to produce important starting materials for which there were previously no biosynthetic strategies and methods available.

Schilller was awarded the research prize "Next Generation of Biotechnological Methods -- Biotechnology 2020+" from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research last year to realize these ideas. He heads a research group at the Center for Systems Biology (ZBSA) of the University of Freiburg that combines chemical biology, organic synthesis, synthetic biology, and new biomaterials with technical systems like microreactors and with modern analytical methods. The team is collaborating with further research groups at the ZBSA, the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, the Faculty of Biology, the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), and the Cluster of Excellence BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies of the University of Freiburg..