Wolfgang Zimmermann Dr. rer. nat

Dr. Zimmermann's research activities are the development of enzyme-related technologies allowing access to a portfolio of novel products directed at the biopharmaceutical, biomaterial, and food sectors. In the area of polymer biotechnology, the application of biocatalysis for the modification and degradation of synthetic polymers is investigated. Enzymes are playing a growing role in polymer processing. Recent progress has demonstrated the biocatalytic functionalization of polymers with applications in textile or electronic industries and the enzymatic hydrolysis of post-consumer plastic waste for novel environmentally benign recycling processes.

While the chemical synthesis of carbohydrates is often hampered by their intrinsic structural complexity, enzymes can be employed as efficient and powerful tools for the synthesis and modification of carbohydrates.