Junior Research Group Pep2Rec
Pep2Rec is a junior research group dedicated to the development of an innovative peptide-based separation system for the recovery of palladium from thechemical and pharmaceutical industry.
The aim is to selectively isolate palladium from complex synthesis mixtures, particularly from organic reaction systems. To achieve this, tailor-made, high-affinity peptides are developed that specifically bind palladium and are immobilized on functionalized membranes. This approach enables selective separation and, ultimately, the reintegration of palladium into material cycles.
Palladium is a critical raw material whose recovery from secondary sources remains technically challenging, energy-intensive, and often insufficiently selective. Pep2Rec therefore pursues a novel biotechnological approach to address this challenge in a more efficient and sustainable way.
The research group emerged from the Helmholtz junior research group BioKollekt and builds on extensive expertise in the biotechnological development of resource recovery processes.
Pep2Rec is funded within the “Creative Young Researchers for the Bioeconomy” funding program of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and contributes to the implementation of the National Bioeconomy Strategy. The focus lies on innovative recycling approaches to close material cycles and improve resource efficiency and sustainability.
The Pep2Rec research group is developing an innovative, peptide-based separation system for recovering palladium from the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The goal is to selectively isolate palladium from complex synthesis mixtures—particularly from organic reaction systems. To achieve this, custom-designed, high-affinity peptides are being developed that specifically bind to palladium and are immobilized on functionalized membranes. This combination enables selective separation and, in the future, the return of the metal to the material cycle.
Source: Pep2Rec
Research Objectives
- Development of a sustainable technology for the selective recovery of palladium from complex chemical synthesis processes
- Design of peptide-functionalized membrane systems for efficient and selective palladium separation
- Development and screening of large peptide libraries using advanced phage surface display (PSD) in combination with next-generation sequencing (NGS)
- Identification of peptides capable of selectively binding palladium under realistic and complex (including organic) reaction conditions
- Integration of experimental screening with rational in silico design for targeted optimization of peptide sequences
- Application of molecular dynamics simulations and, in the future, AI-assisted approaches to predict and improve metal–peptide interactions
- Development of scalable biotechnological production processes for metal-binding peptides (from lab scale to relevant process volumes)
- Integration of peptides into functional separation systems and demonstration of their applicability in real industrial process streams
- Life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate environmental and economic impacts compared to existing technologies
- Contribution to the development of sustainable circular economy concepts for critical raw materials
Team
Team Pep2Rec
Source: HZDR/André Wirsig
The interdisciplinary team combines expertise in biology, biotechnology, environmental engineering, and process modeling to develop new approaches for the sustainable recovery of critical raw materials.
Dr. Nora Schönberger - Group Leader Pep2Rec
Dr. Nora Schönberger is a biologist specializing in molecular biology and biochemistry. Her research focuses on the development and functional characterization of metal-binding peptides and their application in resource recovery. Within Pep2Rec, she is responsible for the overall scientific direction, the development of new peptide libraries, and the strategic advancement of the biotechnological approach.
Dr. Patrick Giefer - Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr. Patrick Giefer is an environmental engineer working at the interface of numerical modeling and molecular design. His work focuses on developing computational strategies for the prediction and optimization of metal-binding peptides, including the implementation of simulation and modeling pipelines to support experimental efforts.
Gerda Techert - PhD Candidate
Gerda Techert is a biotechnologist with a focus on separation processes and their technical implementation. In Pep2Rec, she works on the development and integration of peptide-based separation technologies, with a particular emphasis on peptide immobilization and membrane system design for industrial applications.
Angela Thewes - Research Scientist / Engineer
Angela Thewes is a biologist specializing in biotechnological production processes. She is responsible for the development and optimization of recombinant peptide production as well as scaling from laboratory to larger process volumes. Her work focuses on establishing robust production systems and optimizing growth and expression conditions.
Oguzcan Ates - PhD Candidate
Oguzcan Ates is a biotechnologist working on the experimental identification of palladium-binding peptides. Using phage surface display and biopanning strategies, he selects and characterizes peptide sequences with high affinity and selectivity for palladium.
Mutaz Alnaimat - PhD Candidate
Mutaz Alnaimat is a mining engineer focusing on the evaluation of developed processes from environmental and economic perspectives. His work includes process modeling and sustainability assessment, particularly through life cycle analysis (LCA).
The research group regularly offers internships as well as Bachelor’s and Master’s thesis projects. Students have the opportunity to work on ongoing research topics and gain practical experience in resource technology.
Funded by
Funding number: 031B1506
