Acetogenic bacteria could help humanity in the fight against the climate crisis: They fix CO2 and, in addition to acetic acid, form other useful compounds such as ethanol.
After genetic modification, they could also produce other substances such as acetone and bioplastics.
Sasha Zoske
Sheet maker in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung.
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Before they can be used on a large scale, however, a riddle must be solved, which Volker Müller is dedicated to.
The microbiologist from the Goethe University will receive one million euros from the Reinhart-Koselleck-Program, with which the German Research Foundation supports promising research projects that are risky in a positive sense.
Müller wants to find out why some acetogenic bacteria have cytochrome-containing enzymes.
Such proteins are mainly known from organisms that breathe oxygen - this gas is deadly for acetogens.
If it were clarified what role cytochromes play in their energy metabolism, this could help to better control the bacteria.