Prof. Dr. M. Mack

The soil, a natural habitat, which is colonized by a large variety of microorganisms. The question is, what is the function of antibiotics such as roseoflavin (structure is shown in pink)? Streptomycetes are bacteria which also colonize this habitat. They produce a large variety of so called “secondary metabolites”, some of which display antibiotic activity under laboratory conditions. The Streptomycete cell count in the soil, however, is relatively small. Are the concentrations of the produced antibiotics really sufficient to inhibit growth of competing cells?

Research Projects

The Gram-positive soil bacteria Streptomyces davawensis and Streptomyces cinnabarinus are the only organisms known to produce the vitamin analog roseoflavin. We study the biosynthesis of roseoflavin, its molecular mechanism of action and the resistance mechanism of the producer cells in order to pave the way for the structured analysis of other vitamin analogs yet to be discovered. more

Jobs

Funding

Cooperation Partner

Prof. Dr. K. Preuß

Research Projects

Bio-building blocks & products from renewable resources

Cell culture control & monitoring
Fermentation of methanotroph & thermophilic micro-organism

Areas of expertise

Consultancy