About the PI

I am a structural Biochemist interested in understanding how proteins emerged and evolved to become sophisticated nanomachines

My scientific journey started in Germany, at the Max Planck Institute for Biology, where I obtained my Ph.D. in protein engineering. During my doctoral studies, I investigated how nature uses a mix-and-match mechanism similar to Lego bricks to create new proteins from existing building blocks. I found that small changes such as insertions and deletions  (InDels) can dramatically modify their architecture and function. I moved to Japan in late 2019 to conduct my postdoctoral studies at OIST. Here, I dedicated part of my research to understanding the most catalytically diverse enzyme, the Rossmann fold. By studying this multitasking nanomachine, I gathered meaningful information on how nature recycles existing building blocks of proteins to build new ones that catalyze fundamentally distinct chemistries, such as methylation and redox, also through simple additions or extractions of only a few amino acids. These discoveries led me to question whether InDels could also be involved in switching the topologies (shapes) of proteins, leading to the birth of new catalysis.

My current focus is leveraging my expertise in rational protein engineering and coenzyme evolution to design proteins with electron transfer capabilities, aimed at enhancing sustainable catalysis and energy solutions.

Professional Experience

• OIST | Buribushi Fellow (since September 2024)
• OIST | Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Fellow (October 2023- August 2024)
• OIST | Postdoctoral scholar (December 2019 - September 2023)

Teaching

• Protein engineering and evolution (2022, OIST)
• Enymology and Biochemistry (2017, Bayreuth University)

Honors and awards

Full publication list (here):

Selected Publications