Publications & Lectures

Effect of the singular cell age on Saccharomyces pastorianus ssp. carlsbergensis proliferation

The cumulative dissertation investigates yeast cell aging by using chitin-containing bud scars as surface markers to determine the age of individual cells within populations. By developing a protein linker and employing flow cytometry, bud scars could be non-invasively mapped and used for age-based separation within yeast cultures, allowing for more targeted analysis and control of the fermentation process. Additionally, the study explored the separation of yeast cell populations using magnetic nanoparticles, enabling selective separation and thereby more accurate observation of growth rates depending on cell age under various culture conditions.

Exploring Multi-Parameter Effects on Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Synthesis by SAXS Analysis

This study shows how adjusting factors like temperature and mixing speed can make iron oxide nanoparticles just the right size for medical uses like MRI and drug delivery. We found that higher temperatures and specific stirring speeds significantly impact final particle size and particle growth, helping fine-tune their properties. These insights make it easier to create nanoparticles that work better in real-life medical settings.

Role of Natural Binding Proteins in Therapy and Diagnostics

This review article systematically examines the critical role of natural binding proteins (NBPs), including DNA-, RNA-, carbohydrate-, fatty acid-, and chitin-binding proteins, in the fields of oncology and diagnostics. In an era where cancer poses significant challenges, NBPs and aptamers, known as “nucleic acid-based antibodies,” offer promising approaches to enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment through targeted therapies.

Studying the impact of cell age on the yeast growth behaviour of Saccharomyces pastorianus var. carlsbergensis by magnetic separation

Despite yeast being a widely used microorganism in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries, the impact of cell viability and age distribution on fermentation performance remains largely unexplored. To enable a detailed analysis of metabolic activity and physiological state, we have developed a method of magnetic separation to isolate daughter and mother cells from a heterogeneous culture, allowing them to be studied separately.

Recombinant protein linker production as a basis for non-invasive determination of single-cell yeast age in heterogeneous yeast populations

The physiological and metabolic properties of a yeast culture can be understood as the sum of individual cell phenotypes. In addition to environmental conditions, genetics, and the number of cell divisions, cell age is a crucial factor influencing cell characteristics. After the cytokinesis of yeast cells, a bud scar remains on the mother cell, serving as a measure of replicative lifespan and thus a quantifiable indicator of cell age, characterized by significant amounts of chitin. We have developed a binding method to visualize these bud scars in Saccharomyces pastorianus var. carlsbergensis and have further characterized this method.

Upcycling of brewer’s yeast – Application as material for encapsulating unstable liquid ingredients in the food industry

Encapsulation refers to the process of coating an active substance with an appropriate wall material to protect it from external influences. Yeast cell walls are considered ideal for encapsulation due to their flexible protein structure combined with a rigid polysaccharide component. Additionally, they are cost-effective and readily available—two advantages that make yeast cells a suitable material for encapsulation. However, since yeast cells used in the brewing process retain a bitter taste from the adsorption of iso-α-acids, it is important to purify brewing yeast before its potential use as an encapsulation material.