Biosorption

Biosorption refers to the binding of metals or metal ions by cells, cell components or biomolecules. At present, biosorption is primarily used for the removal of heavy metals using biomass such as waste products (e.g., plant residues, crab shells) or algae. However, these biomass substances are barely selective and therefore unsuitable for enriching metals of interest only.

That is the reason why the Biotechnology Department focuses on the selection and development of selectively binding biomolecules. These include, among others, microbial complexing agents such as siderophores and metal binding peptides. The latter are being selected and further developed with the phage surface display technology (Group BioKollekt(1)).


The team investigates the following topics:

  • Development of siderophore-based, biosorptive materials and processes for selectively recovering metal ions (e.g., gallium) from dilute solutions
  • Selection and development of metal binding peptides using the phage surface display technology; development of protein- or peptide-based biocomposites for selectively recovering metal ions
  • Molecular characterization of biomolecule-metal interactions (in close cooperation with the HZDR Institute for Resource Ecology(2))
  • Process development for producing metal binding biomolecules

Selected Publications

  • Schönberger, N.; Taylor, C. J.; Schrader, M.; Drobot, B.; Matys, S.; Lederer, F.; Pollmann, K. "Gallium-binding peptides as a tool for the sustainable treatment of industrial waste streams", Journal of Hazardous Materials 414(2021), 125366
    DOI-Link: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125366(3)
  • Jain, R.; Fan, S.; Kaden, P.; Tsushima, S.; Foerstendorf, H.; Barthen, R.; Lehmann, F.; Pollmann, K.
    "Recovery of gallium from wafer fabrication industry wastewaters by Desferrioxamine B and E using reversed-phase chromatography approach", Water Research 158(2019)
    DOI-Link: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.04.005(4)
  • Pollmann, K.; Kutschke, S.; Matys, S.; Raff, J.; Hlawacek, G.; Lederer, F. L
    "Bio-recycling of metals: Recycling of technical products using biological applications", Biotechnology Advances 36(2018)4, 1048-1062

    DOI-Link: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.03.006(5)


Content from Sidebar

Dr. Katrin Pollmann(6)
Head of the Biotechnology Department

Phone: +49 351 260 - 2946
Fax: +49 351 260 - 3553, -12946


URL of this article
https://www.hzdr.de/db/Cms?pOid=50677


Links of the content

(1) https://www.hzdr.de/db/Cms?pNid=1050
(2) https://www.hzdr.de/db/Cms?pNid=142
(3) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125366
(4) https://doi.org/10.3390/min6020054
(5) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2005.06.002
(6) https://www.hzdr.de/db/!ContMan.Visi.Card?pUser=1519