Our Research
In-depth knowledge of the biochemical as well as structural properties (i.e. structural flexibility, inter-domain communication) of modular assembly lines is imperative to develop novel synthetic biology approaches facilitating the biosynthetic production of the desired compounds. There is also growing evidence that we could further improve our ability to engineer these systems if we had a better understanding of their evolution. Therefore, the Bozhüyük group combines state-of-the-art in silico (genome mining, comparative genomics, homology modelling, protein networks, molecular docking, molecular dynamics), in vitro (activity assays), in vivo (heterologous expression of recombined biosynthetic pathways, comparative metabolomics), and AI/ML driven approaches to push the boundaries of what already is possible even further. The group seeks to create new derivatives and compounds, expanding the possibilities of natural product bio-synthesis beyond chemical limitations.
Our Research
In-depth knowledge of the biochemical as well as structural properties (i.e. structural flexibility, inter-domain communication) of modular assembly lines is imperative to develop novel synthetic biology approaches facilitating the biosynthetic production of the desired compounds. There is also growing evidence that we could further improve our ability to engineer these systems if we had a better understanding of their evolution. Therefore, the Bozhüyük group combines state-of-the-art in silico (genome mining, comparative genomics, homology modelling, protein networks, molecular docking, molecular dynamics), in vitro (activity assays), in vivo (heterologous expression of recombined biosynthetic pathways, comparative metabolomics), and AI/ML driven approaches to push the boundaries of what already is possible even further. The group seeks to create new derivatives and compounds, expanding the possibilities of natural product bio-synthesis beyond chemical limitations.
Kenan Bozhüyük
Our research endeavors to make a meaningful contribution towards addressing the challenge of antimicrobial resistance. To this end, we integrate synthetic biology with artificial intelligence and machine learning to generate novel chemical matter, fostering the discovery and development of innovative antibiotics.
Kenan Bozhüyük completed his bioinformatics studies and PhD at Goethe University Frankfurt a.M. in 2016 under the supervision of Prof Helge Bode. His doctoral research focused on innovative synthetic biology techniques for manipulating natural product biosynthesis. He then worked as a postdoctoral fellow until 2019 in Prof Barrie Wilkinson's lab at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, UK.
In 2020, Kenan Bozhüyük became a project group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg, making significant contributions to the field including several granted and pending patent applications. He also co-founded in 2022 the startup Myria Biosciences AG in Basel, Switzerland, and Marburg, Germany, serving as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). In 2023, he joined the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland as a Group Leader, further expanding his expertise in pharmaceutical research.
Kenan Bozhüyük was granted the Goethe Innovation Award 2016 and the BIO-Gründer Wettbewerb 2017 for the start-up venture RhabdoTec.
Selected Publications
Bozhüyük, K. A. J. et al. De novo design and engineering of non-ribosomal peptide synthetases. Nat Chem 10, 275-281, doi:10.1038/nchem.2890 (2018).
Bozhüyük, K. A. J. et al. Modification and de novo design of non-ribosomal peptide synthetases using specific assembly points within condensation domains. Nat Chem 11, 653-661, doi:10.1038/s41557-019-0276-z (2019).
Bozhüyük, K. A. J., Watzel, J., Abbood, N. & Bode, H. B. Synthetic Zippers as an Enabling Tool for Engineering of Non-Ribosomal Peptide Synthetases*. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 60, 17531-17538, doi:10.1002/anie.202102859 (2021).
Booth, T. J. & Bozhüyük, K. A. J. et al. Bifurcation drives the evolution of assembly-line biosynthesis. Nat Commun 13, 3498, doi:10.1038/s41467-022-30950-z (2022)
Abbood, N., Präve, L., Bozhueyuek, K.A.J., Bode, H.B. A Practical Guideline to Engineering Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetases. In: Burkart, M., Ishikawa, F. (eds) Non-Ribosomal Peptide Biosynthesis and Engineering. MIMB 2670. Humana, New York, NY. doi:10.1007/978-1-0716-3214-7_11 (2023)
