Current research
Our research group, Dynamic Metabolons, are working on the plasticity of biosynthetic membrane protein complexes termed metabolons for the production of phytochemicals. Plants produce an immense number of bioactive compounds with potential for applications as pharmaceuticals, colorants and flavors. Despite of the chemical diversity of phytochemicals, their biosynthesis involves a highly modular assembly of specific enzyme classes such as oxidoreductases, cytochromes P450 and glycosyltransferases. Formation of enzyme complexes, metabolons, facilitate direct transfer of substrates and intermediates between sequential enzymes, which results in increased flux and avoid release of toxic or labile intermediates. In order to produce phytochemicals in heterologous hosts it is imperative to understand the mechanisms facilitating the organization of biosynthetic metabolons and their dynamic nature