Biostore is a multidisciplinary project that brings together natural science, economic, and socio-political institutes from the University of Münster, the Fraunhofer Society, and the Helmholtz Association. Biostore's research focuses on the sustainable use of recyclable biological and bio-based functional materials and additives in battery production. The development of environmentally friendly materials is in line with the concept of the bio-economy, making battery production less dependent on finite fossil resources and reducing the environmental impact of battery life cycles. Beyond battery research, the goal of the project is to connect the institutes to form a strong network for the interdisciplinary development of new, sustainable materials.
Within the project, our group (at the IMMB) focuses on the production and modification of bacterial exopolysaccharides for the substitution of non-sustainable materials in lithium-ion batteries. We will test the gel-forming and film-building properties of different polysaccharides for the production of sustainable electrodes and separator membranes. With the introduction of structural modifications, by genetic engineering and chemical reactions, we will improve the desired properties.
Funded by The Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. 

ACTPAC aims to develop new chemico-/biological pathways and catalysts to degrade polyethylene (PE) into multiple catalogues of value-added chemicals (alkanes and monomers) that can be used for various industrial applications. Furthermore, ACTPAC will add to the product pool of polyesters by creating new biodegradable, and fully recyclable polyesters having similar or even better mechanical and composable performances compared to PE. Through the establishment of the most profitable upcycling scenario for ZERO-waste management and by mitigating plastic pollution, the project will have a significant, positive impact on the environment, biodiversity and the ecosystem’s balance and will contribute to the restoration of water, sea, and soil.
Funded by EU through the  HORIZON2020 program.

In the i-ProDex project, the aim is to find an alternative process for producing clinical dextran. Dextran is a polysaccharide that is naturally produced by lactic acid bacteria and, at a specific molecular weight, is used in clinical applications, for example as a substitute for blood plasma. The conventional production process is characterized by a high volume of environmentally harmful waste and low productivity. The goal of i-ProDex is to develop innovative and efficient processes for producing clinical dextran, taking into account environmental considerations as well as meeting the product specifications required for clinical use. The project is funded by the BMBF under the number 03WIR5305B and supported by the WIR!2 alliance.

The PolyMore project focused on enhancing the capabilities of Paenibacillus polymyxa DSM 365, a Gram-positive bacterium with huge potential as a versatile microbial production chassis for a wide range of relevant metabolites. The first complete genome sequence of P. polymyxa DSM 365 was reported, providing a foundation for further development of this host organism.
Building on a CRISPR-Cas9-based system developed in 2017, significant advancements were achieved, enabling large-scale genomic deletions of up to 59 kb with a single sgRNA while facilitating multiplexed genomic modifications. This technology enabled the creation of two genome-reduced variants. In these variants insertion sequences, genomic islands, and various biosynthetic gene clusters were deleted, resulting in a potentially more stable strain and a chassis optimized for the heterologous production of antimicrobial compounds and other products of interest.
Through an integrated approach combining metabolic engineering and systems biology, P. polymyxa was further optimized to enhance the production of industrially relevant metabolites such as 2,3-butanediol, isobutanol, and exopolysaccharides. Additionally, comprehensive studies provided new insights into complex regulatory systems involved in sporulation mechanisms, and a spore display system was successfully implemented. These advancements paved the way to innovative biotechnological applications and significantly expanded the potential of P. polymyxa DSM 365.
This project was funded within the BMBF call “Mikrobielle Biofabriken” (funding number 031B0855) and was a joint project of the University of Münster (Prof. Jochen Schmid), the Max-Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology (Prof. Tobias Erb), and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Prof. Johannes Kabisch) as an associated partner.