"I am a biochemist and structural biologist whose major research interests are designing and engineering biomolecular structures and their functions – an interdisciplinary effort that combines biochemistry and biophysics, computational biology, machine learning and structural biology approaches. My main task in this is to be the head cheerleader for the wonderful people I work with. Currently the lab works mainly on the development of new tools to design catalytic function into de novo proteins and protein-protein interaction design, as well as the design of artificial fluorescent proteins for lighting purposes."

Gustav Oberdorfer / Assistant Professor + Group Leader<u1:p></u1:p>

"I am designing new proteins from scratch using computer programs that learn from existing protein structures and functions. I am testing how well these proteins work by attaching them to yeast cells and measuring their properties in large numbers. My goal is to find new ways to create proteins for various applications in biotechnology and medicine."

Markus Braun / University Project Assistant

"In my PhD project, we focus on the characterization and functionalization of a de novo alpha helical protein designed by using the Rosetta software. To functionalize this de novo protein, I designed several variants to catalyze the retro-aldol carboligation reaction, which has extensive application in biocatalysis. I also use rational and computational active site re-design approaches to increase the activity and expand activity to include different non-native reactions."

Wael Elaily / University Project Assistant

"I am the lab manager of the protein design group. I support the group in organizational and scientific aspects and always have an open ear for smaller and bigger issues."

Birgit Grill / Laboratory Technician

"We are designing proteins to bind certain dyes. The designed new fluorescent proteins will be further used by our collaboration partners as a down-converting phosphor in light-emitting diodes (LED)  to create new, more sustainable white LEDs."

Horst Lechner / University Project Assistant

Maternity Leave

Alma Makic / Laboratory Technician

"My research focuses on protein design, combining computational and experimental approaches. Using common protein design tools, I create de novo enzymes and binders, which I then express, purify, and analyze in the lab. As a university assistant, I also teach lab courses and mentor students during their bachelor’s and master’s thesis projects."

Anna Schrüfer / University Assistant

"My role in AGO is to crystallize proteins designed by the other group members. We use these crystals for Structure determination of the proteins with X-ray crystallography."

David Stoll / University Project Assistant

"I am working on the functionalization of de novo designed helical bundle proteins with a special interest in enzymes that employ a metal ligand as cofactor. My work incorporates both design and wetlab characterization."

Adrian Tripp / University Project Assistant

"In my research I am investigating and developing computational methods in the field of protein de novo design. My main interests thereby are molecular simulations, Data Science and Machine Learning."

Florian Wieser / University Project Assistant