Postdoc Microbiology - Biopolymers (m/f/d)

Cyanophycin, (CP; multi-L-Arginyl-Poly-L-Aspartate) is a nitrogen-rich biopolymer produced by most cyanobacteria and various other bacteria as a dynamic nitrogen-storage compound. Its biotechnological application was for long time limited by its poor solubility and its amorphous structure. Recently, through esterification, we converted CP into a highly promising polycationic polymer (CP-ester) with manifold application options (patent pending). We aim at exploring the synthesis and applications of various CP-esters as a novel biomaterial. Through esterification with different alcohols, CP-ester polymers can be produced with many different functionalities, such as antimicrobial compounds, amphiphilic polymers for compound delivery, organic semiconductors or the functionalization of nanoparticles.
The specific task is to optimize the process for cyanophycin extraction from cyanophycinoverproducing cyanobacteria and convert it into various cyanophycin-esters with different physicochemical properties. Subsequently, to explore and evaluate, preferentially in multidisciplinary teams, the use of these newly created novel cyanophycin-esters in medical, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.