SynHydro3 – Synthesis platform using hydrogen, hydrogenases and hydrogels

In SynHydro3, a compatible platform technology for hydrogen-driven biocatalysis is developed, which can be easily integrated into the existing bioreactor structure.

Schematic depiction of a modular, scalable and recyclable biohybrid catalyst as a platform technology.
Modular, scalable and recyclable biohybrid catalyst as a platform technology. It enables the decarbonization of biocatalytic processes by replacing classical carbon-rich electron donors with hydrogen.

Challenges

Hydrogen driven biocatalysis in the form of a modular and scalable platform technology has not yet been implemented due to the lack of highly active, robust and scalable hydrogen oxidizing biocatalysts that are functional under industrially relevant conditions. Specially selected hydrogenases are promising candidates to utilize hydrogen as an electron donor for synthesis, but their high oxygen sensitivity makes them too unstable.

Objectives and project plan

In SynHydro3, novel biohybrid catalytic microdisks made of a redox hydrogel are developed for stable and functional integration of these special hydrogenases. This allows the enzymes to be protected against oxidative damage and made accessible for hydrogen-driven enzyme cascades. The design of the hybrid system is expected to enable handling, storage and use of these hydrogenases under air and for catalytic processes with oxygen as a co-substrate. We aim for scalable production of redox hydrogel microdisks containing all enzymes required for cofactor regeneration to drive oxygen-dependent enzyme cascades using hydrogen as an electron source.

Impact

This recyclable biohybrid system will serve as a compatible platform technology using existing bioreactor infrastructure and enable decarbonization of biocatalytic processes by replacing classical carbon-rich electron donors.

Project information

Project title

SynHydro– Synthesis platform using hydrogen, hydrogenases and hydrogels

 

Project duration

October 2021 – September 2024

 

Project partners

  • Technical University of Munich, TUM Campus Straubing (Coordination)
  • Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Straubing branch
  • Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Mülheim an der Ruhr
  • ESy-Labs GmbH, Regensburg

Funding

We would like to thank the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for funding the project "SynHydro3", promotional reference 031B1123B.

Federal Ministry of Education and Research.