Engineering microbes for a sustainable future.
Welcome to the Sustainable and Synthetic Metabolism Lab
In the SSM Lab led by Sebastian Wenk, we develop innovative, sustainable solutions for the biotechnology of the future. Using synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, we create microbial hosts that can grow on sustainable substrates and produce value-added chemicals.
Our mission
Our mission is to harness and expand the natural capabilities of microbes to address global challenges like climate change. Microorganisms have evolved a vast array of metabolic strategies to utilize diverse feedstocks ranging from simple one-carbon molecules like COâ‚‚ to complex polymers like PET. By combining these natural abilities with synthetic, "new-to-nature" pathways, we create designer cells that can convert COâ‚‚-derived feedstocks into valuable chemicals.
Our values
We believe that real progress in science comes from collaboration, integrity, and rigorous, reproducible research. That’s why we value teamwork over individual achievements and prioritize scientific rigor and transparency in everything we do.
