We have used quantitative biomolecular analyses to understand the logic behind some of the fundamental tenets of life, specifically, the modern mitochondrial Genetic Code and its variants, and the standard, primordial Genetic Code. Together with serial calculations of the quantum chemical properties of numerous biomolecules (to predict their chemical reactivity), an improved understanding of the evolution of the Genetic Code was achieved. As an unexpected byproduct of these calculations, a new type of catalysis in biological systems was unveiled (“chain-transfer catalysis”), which bears relevance to the biological aging process. Recently, our data have helped scientists from Georgia Tech/MIT to devise and build an “Electronic Life-detection Instrument for Enceladus/Europa (ELIE)” for future space missions searching for extraterrestrial life.

We are currently working on the quantum chemical characterization of as many as feasible metabolites produced by life, in order to comprehensively assess the reactivity space of the metabolome and to potentially detect patterns that could explain the current shape and existence of specific metabolic pathways.

In short, we engage in serial quantitative calculations of chemical properties to answer biological, evolutionary questions.

Positions held

Since 2010  
Professor of Physiological Chemistry, Institute for Pathobiochemistry, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany

2004 – 2010  
Junior Professor of Pathobiochemistry, Institute for Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany

2002 – 2004  
Postdoctoral Fellow, The Burnham Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA

Education

2002 
PhD in Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry, Munich, and Free University of Berlin, Germany

1998 
Diploma in Biochemistry, Free University of Berlin, Germany