Elk Crew
@elkcrew.bsky.social
We are a research group using enzymes to drive efficient and sustainable chemical reactions. Working at the interface of organic synthesis, enzyme discovery, and molecular engineering, we develop elegant, enzyme-driven solutions for real-world needs.
New paper by our college and @Enzyan co-founder @Matthias Pickl-Farnberger in collaboration with @Helma Wennemers: Bringing the worlds of peptide catalysis and enzyme catalysis together in a single biocatalyst with two active sites&functions. chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Merging Peptide and Enzyme Catalysis in a Single Protein Domain Bearing Two Separated Active Sites
A dual-functional catalyst that unites peptide catalysis and biocatalysis within a single protein scaffold at two distinct active sites offers a promising strategy for cascade catalysis. This hybrid ...
chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
July 22, 2025 at 7:54 AM
New paper by our college and @Enzyan co-founder @Matthias Pickl-Farnberger in collaboration with @Helma Wennemers: Bringing the worlds of peptide catalysis and enzyme catalysis together in a single biocatalyst with two active sites&functions. chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Almost half of the Elk Crew enjoyed #Biotrans2025 in Basel 🇨🇭—a week of inspiring talks and great science! Congrats to Lorenzo Cerutti-Serra for winning a Best Runner-Up Poster Prize 🏅.
What a week of ideas and inspiration— we can’t wait for Oviedo 2027! #biocatalysis #enzymescience
What a week of ideas and inspiration— we can’t wait for Oviedo 2027! #biocatalysis #enzymescience
July 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Almost half of the Elk Crew enjoyed #Biotrans2025 in Basel 🇨🇭—a week of inspiring talks and great science! Congrats to Lorenzo Cerutti-Serra for winning a Best Runner-Up Poster Prize 🏅.
What a week of ideas and inspiration— we can’t wait for Oviedo 2027! #biocatalysis #enzymescience
What a week of ideas and inspiration— we can’t wait for Oviedo 2027! #biocatalysis #enzymescience
🚨 New publication alert! 💡🧪
Excited to share our latest work on developing a photo-biocatalytic redox system for the asymmetric synthesis of optically active amines, just published in Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis! 🎉
📄 Read the full paper: doi.org/10.1002/adsc...
Excited to share our latest work on developing a photo-biocatalytic redox system for the asymmetric synthesis of optically active amines, just published in Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis! 🎉
📄 Read the full paper: doi.org/10.1002/adsc...
Development of Photo‐Biocatalytic Redox System for Asymmetric Synthesis of Optically Active Amines Using Blue Light and Transaminases. A Case Study Toward Mavacamten
α-Chiral amines are versatile building blocks for the asymmetric synthesis of optically pure high-added-value chemicals, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and natural products. Herein, we rep...
advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
June 2, 2025 at 7:18 AM
🚨 New publication alert! 💡🧪
Excited to share our latest work on developing a photo-biocatalytic redox system for the asymmetric synthesis of optically active amines, just published in Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis! 🎉
📄 Read the full paper: doi.org/10.1002/adsc...
Excited to share our latest work on developing a photo-biocatalytic redox system for the asymmetric synthesis of optically active amines, just published in Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis! 🎉
📄 Read the full paper: doi.org/10.1002/adsc...
Elisa Lanfranchi, Federico Rossi & Nathalia Vargas Valverde just got back from #IBPRO2025 in Aarhus 🇩🇰!
Elisa won a Poster Prize 🏅 for a 2-step cascade to make natural #vanillin — cutting the usual 5–6 steps!
Great collab with ACIB, Univ. of Graz & BASF, led by W. Kroutil, backed by #COMET via FFG!
Elisa won a Poster Prize 🏅 for a 2-step cascade to make natural #vanillin — cutting the usual 5–6 steps!
Great collab with ACIB, Univ. of Graz & BASF, led by W. Kroutil, backed by #COMET via FFG!
May 28, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Elisa Lanfranchi, Federico Rossi & Nathalia Vargas Valverde just got back from #IBPRO2025 in Aarhus 🇩🇰!
Elisa won a Poster Prize 🏅 for a 2-step cascade to make natural #vanillin — cutting the usual 5–6 steps!
Great collab with ACIB, Univ. of Graz & BASF, led by W. Kroutil, backed by #COMET via FFG!
Elisa won a Poster Prize 🏅 for a 2-step cascade to make natural #vanillin — cutting the usual 5–6 steps!
Great collab with ACIB, Univ. of Graz & BASF, led by W. Kroutil, backed by #COMET via FFG!
A big shoutout to our team for their fantastic contributions at the 5th NextGenBiocat Symposium in Milan!
🧬 Posters from Jonas, Isabella & Magdalena!
🏆 Magdalena took home the poster prize (!!)
👏 Christoph helped steer the science as part of the committee
#NextGenBiocat #ScienceLife #Biocatalysis
🧬 Posters from Jonas, Isabella & Magdalena!
🏆 Magdalena took home the poster prize (!!)
👏 Christoph helped steer the science as part of the committee
#NextGenBiocat #ScienceLife #Biocatalysis
May 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
A big shoutout to our team for their fantastic contributions at the 5th NextGenBiocat Symposium in Milan!
🧬 Posters from Jonas, Isabella & Magdalena!
🏆 Magdalena took home the poster prize (!!)
👏 Christoph helped steer the science as part of the committee
#NextGenBiocat #ScienceLife #Biocatalysis
🧬 Posters from Jonas, Isabella & Magdalena!
🏆 Magdalena took home the poster prize (!!)
👏 Christoph helped steer the science as part of the committee
#NextGenBiocat #ScienceLife #Biocatalysis
🧬 New paper!
We uncovered a new enzymatic activity, previously unknown to nature or chemistry: a 2ODD enzyme pulls off a C–C bond cleavage in a piperidine ring — like an oxidative retro-aza-Prins reaction: pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
👨🔬 Congrats to Stefan & Wolfgang!
#enzymology #biocatalysis
We uncovered a new enzymatic activity, previously unknown to nature or chemistry: a 2ODD enzyme pulls off a C–C bond cleavage in a piperidine ring — like an oxidative retro-aza-Prins reaction: pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
👨🔬 Congrats to Stefan & Wolfgang!
#enzymology #biocatalysis
pubs.acs.org
May 15, 2025 at 1:19 PM
🧬 New paper!
We uncovered a new enzymatic activity, previously unknown to nature or chemistry: a 2ODD enzyme pulls off a C–C bond cleavage in a piperidine ring — like an oxidative retro-aza-Prins reaction: pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
👨🔬 Congrats to Stefan & Wolfgang!
#enzymology #biocatalysis
We uncovered a new enzymatic activity, previously unknown to nature or chemistry: a 2ODD enzyme pulls off a C–C bond cleavage in a piperidine ring — like an oxidative retro-aza-Prins reaction: pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
👨🔬 Congrats to Stefan & Wolfgang!
#enzymology #biocatalysis
Need something nice to listen to on your way into the weekend? Tune in to this episode of the #BioteXperten Podcast, featuring #elkcrew member Elisa Lanfranchi, talking about her research on a new biotechnological approach for the preparation of #vanillin.
open.spotify.com/episode/2I95...
open.spotify.com/episode/2I95...
Episode 58: The vanilla problem and how we solve it
Die BioteXperten · Episode
open.spotify.com
May 9, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Need something nice to listen to on your way into the weekend? Tune in to this episode of the #BioteXperten Podcast, featuring #elkcrew member Elisa Lanfranchi, talking about her research on a new biotechnological approach for the preparation of #vanillin.
open.spotify.com/episode/2I95...
open.spotify.com/episode/2I95...
🥳 Big congrats to Dr. Christoph Winkler @ckwinkler.bsky.social from our crew, who delivered his Habilitationskolloquium on “Contributions to Photobiocatalysis – From Reactor Technology to Synthetic Methods”!
We’re so proud to celebrate this milestone with him! 🌟
#photobiocatalysis
We’re so proud to celebrate this milestone with him! 🌟
#photobiocatalysis
May 7, 2025 at 6:55 AM
🥳 Big congrats to Dr. Christoph Winkler @ckwinkler.bsky.social from our crew, who delivered his Habilitationskolloquium on “Contributions to Photobiocatalysis – From Reactor Technology to Synthetic Methods”!
We’re so proud to celebrate this milestone with him! 🌟
#photobiocatalysis
We’re so proud to celebrate this milestone with him! 🌟
#photobiocatalysis
What is the main goal of our projects?
We discover and optimize enzymes to perform new-to-nature reactions under mild, green conditions 🌿—cutting steps, reducing waste, and pushing the frontiers of innovation 🚀. Curious? We’ll be sharing more soon!
#enzymetech #innovation
We discover and optimize enzymes to perform new-to-nature reactions under mild, green conditions 🌿—cutting steps, reducing waste, and pushing the frontiers of innovation 🚀. Curious? We’ll be sharing more soon!
#enzymetech #innovation
April 30, 2025 at 8:25 AM
What is the main goal of our projects?
We discover and optimize enzymes to perform new-to-nature reactions under mild, green conditions 🌿—cutting steps, reducing waste, and pushing the frontiers of innovation 🚀. Curious? We’ll be sharing more soon!
#enzymetech #innovation
We discover and optimize enzymes to perform new-to-nature reactions under mild, green conditions 🌿—cutting steps, reducing waste, and pushing the frontiers of innovation 🚀. Curious? We’ll be sharing more soon!
#enzymetech #innovation
Why are we interested in biocatalysis?
Nature perfected catalysts long before humans imagined chemical synthesis. Biocatalysis offers selectivity 🎯, sustainability 🌱, and enables transformations traditional chemistry struggles to achieve.
#greenchemistry
Nature perfected catalysts long before humans imagined chemical synthesis. Biocatalysis offers selectivity 🎯, sustainability 🌱, and enables transformations traditional chemistry struggles to achieve.
#greenchemistry
April 30, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Why are we interested in biocatalysis?
Nature perfected catalysts long before humans imagined chemical synthesis. Biocatalysis offers selectivity 🎯, sustainability 🌱, and enables transformations traditional chemistry struggles to achieve.
#greenchemistry
Nature perfected catalysts long before humans imagined chemical synthesis. Biocatalysis offers selectivity 🎯, sustainability 🌱, and enables transformations traditional chemistry struggles to achieve.
#greenchemistry
👋 Hello world! Let us introduce ourselves!
We’re a research group exploring the power of enzymes to drive sustainable chemistry 🌍. Our 35-member team👩🔬👨🔬 works on hundreds of enzymes to create elegant, enzyme-driven solutions for real-world needs.
#biocatalysis #enzymes #sustainable_chemistry
We’re a research group exploring the power of enzymes to drive sustainable chemistry 🌍. Our 35-member team👩🔬👨🔬 works on hundreds of enzymes to create elegant, enzyme-driven solutions for real-world needs.
#biocatalysis #enzymes #sustainable_chemistry
April 30, 2025 at 8:20 AM
👋 Hello world! Let us introduce ourselves!
We’re a research group exploring the power of enzymes to drive sustainable chemistry 🌍. Our 35-member team👩🔬👨🔬 works on hundreds of enzymes to create elegant, enzyme-driven solutions for real-world needs.
#biocatalysis #enzymes #sustainable_chemistry
We’re a research group exploring the power of enzymes to drive sustainable chemistry 🌍. Our 35-member team👩🔬👨🔬 works on hundreds of enzymes to create elegant, enzyme-driven solutions for real-world needs.
#biocatalysis #enzymes #sustainable_chemistry
Here is Xavier, the wonderful high throughput robotic platform that helps us detect and select the best mutants... and with many other things! Check out the video! #highthrouhgput #HTS #biocatalysis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDM3hqYixaI
May 6, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Here is Xavier, the wonderful high throughput robotic platform that helps us detect and select the best mutants... and with many other things! Check out the video! #highthrouhgput #HTS #biocatalysis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDM3hqYixaI
New tools for #sulfation under mild conditions: In our latest study, we characterized five new arylsulfate #sulfotransferases. The #enzymes showcase a broad substrate scope, including phenols, alcohols, and amines. #biocatalysis #elkcrew...
May 6, 2025 at 12:06 PM
New tools for #sulfation under mild conditions: In our latest study, we characterized five new arylsulfate #sulfotransferases. The #enzymes showcase a broad substrate scope, including phenols, alcohols, and amines. #biocatalysis #elkcrew...
💡Wondering what’s next after a Master’s in Chemistry, Biotechnology or Biology? Join Klara as she shares her journey as a PhD researcher in the #elkcrew at @UniGraz . Discover her #biocatalysis project, get advice on choosing a PhD, and meet our team....
May 6, 2025 at 12:06 PM
💡Wondering what’s next after a Master’s in Chemistry, Biotechnology or Biology? Join Klara as she shares her journey as a PhD researcher in the #elkcrew at @UniGraz . Discover her #biocatalysis project, get advice on choosing a PhD, and meet our team....
New paper together with the group of Karl Gruber. The broad reaction scope of EREDs is simply fascinating! Congratulations Nakia and @willbreuk! #ereds #biocatalysis #oxime #elkcrew https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cctc.202400642
May 6, 2025 at 12:06 PM
New paper together with the group of Karl Gruber. The broad reaction scope of EREDs is simply fascinating! Congratulations Nakia and @willbreuk! #ereds #biocatalysis #oxime #elkcrew https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cctc.202400642
Nothing is so motivating and inspiring as an intense group meeting with great presentations and insightful discussions! Also its a good opportunity to take a new group picture. #elkcrew #biocatalysis
May 6, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Nothing is so motivating and inspiring as an intense group meeting with great presentations and insightful discussions! Also its a good opportunity to take a new group picture. #elkcrew #biocatalysis
Our latest paper showcases the power of unspecific peroxygenases (#UPOs) for asymmetric anti-Markovnikov Wacker-type oxidation & epoxidation of styrenes!
🔍 53 wild-type UPOs
🚀 selectivity: >99%
#Biocatalysis #GreenChemistry @ACSCatalysis ...
🔍 53 wild-type UPOs
🚀 selectivity: >99%
#Biocatalysis #GreenChemistry @ACSCatalysis ...
May 6, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Our latest paper showcases the power of unspecific peroxygenases (#UPOs) for asymmetric anti-Markovnikov Wacker-type oxidation & epoxidation of styrenes!
🔍 53 wild-type UPOs
🚀 selectivity: >99%
#Biocatalysis #GreenChemistry @ACSCatalysis ...
🔍 53 wild-type UPOs
🚀 selectivity: >99%
#Biocatalysis #GreenChemistry @ACSCatalysis ...
#elkcrew at the #biocat2024 in Hamburg. What a great meeting full of incredible science. Already looking forward to #biocat2026! #biocatalysis #enzymes
May 6, 2025 at 12:06 PM
#elkcrew at the #biocat2024 in Hamburg. What a great meeting full of incredible science. Already looking forward to #biocat2026! #biocatalysis #enzymes
New paper: Frieda established the co-solvent concentration at 50% protein unfolding as reliable indicator of enzyme stability in the presence of co-solvents. Check out the paper to find out more! Congratulations Frieda and everyone involved! #biocatalysis...
May 6, 2025 at 12:06 PM
New paper: Frieda established the co-solvent concentration at 50% protein unfolding as reliable indicator of enzyme stability in the presence of co-solvents. Check out the paper to find out more! Congratulations Frieda and everyone involved! #biocatalysis...
Proud to share our latest work on the biooxidation of HMF to FDCA using #UPOs! @AlexanderSwo69 outstanding work led to a highly efficient one-pot, three-step cascade, achieving up to 99% conversion at gram scale. #biocatalysis #greenchemistry...
May 6, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Proud to share our latest work on the biooxidation of HMF to FDCA using #UPOs! @AlexanderSwo69 outstanding work led to a highly efficient one-pot, three-step cascade, achieving up to 99% conversion at gram scale. #biocatalysis #greenchemistry...
Excited about #biocatalytic ATP-independent amide formation in water? Kudos to Erna for her work on the #lipase SpL, achieving high space-time yields (up to 864 g/Ld), and demonstrating the involvement of a catalytic tetrad. @ACSCatalysis ...
May 6, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Excited about #biocatalytic ATP-independent amide formation in water? Kudos to Erna for her work on the #lipase SpL, achieving high space-time yields (up to 864 g/Ld), and demonstrating the involvement of a catalytic tetrad. @ACSCatalysis ...
Jörg Schrittwieser, who is one of the pillars of the #elk_crew just delivered his #habilitation lecture in #organicchemistry. Huge congratulations from the entire group! And all the best for your continuing #research and #teaching endeavours!
May 6, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Jörg Schrittwieser, who is one of the pillars of the #elk_crew just delivered his #habilitation lecture in #organicchemistry. Huge congratulations from the entire group! And all the best for your continuing #research and #teaching endeavours!
Using #P450 #peroxygenases for the alpha-hydroxylation of fatty acids, in up to 150 mM substrate concentration reaching crazy TONs! Congratulations to Klara and all coauthors for this impressive work! #biocatalysis #elkcrew #hydroxylation @green_rsc ...
May 6, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Using #P450 #peroxygenases for the alpha-hydroxylation of fatty acids, in up to 150 mM substrate concentration reaching crazy TONs! Congratulations to Klara and all coauthors for this impressive work! #biocatalysis #elkcrew #hydroxylation @green_rsc ...
More news on the reduction of C=N bonds by ene reductases (old yellow enzymes). Congratulations to Karl Gruber, Amit and Nakia! #biocatalysis #ezyme #mechanism https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acscatal.3c04362
May 6, 2025 at 12:11 PM
More news on the reduction of C=N bonds by ene reductases (old yellow enzymes). Congratulations to Karl Gruber, Amit and Nakia! #biocatalysis #ezyme #mechanism https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acscatal.3c04362
Screening of enantioselectivity is mostly time-intensive. Herein we provide a spectrophotometric method suitable for #highthroughput and demonstrate it on 44 UPOs, several substrates and more #enzymes. #biocatalysis https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.202312721
May 6, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Screening of enantioselectivity is mostly time-intensive. Herein we provide a spectrophotometric method suitable for #highthroughput and demonstrate it on 44 UPOs, several substrates and more #enzymes. #biocatalysis https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.202312721