Stay tuned for the latest updates on CirculH2 as we share insights from conferences, breakthroughs in our research, and exciting news on our journey towards sustainable industrial biotechnology.
MAY 27, 2025: Upcoming Symposium in Graz
Come and get to know us at the symposium “Hydrogen-driven Biotechnology” in Graz!
We would like to warmly invite everyone with an interest in biotechnology to join our upcoming symposium! Whether you are a student, scientist, or simply curious about sustainability in biotechnology, you are welcome – no registration fee, just bring curiosity!
This event will feature insights on the EU projects CirculH2 and ROBUSTOO and give you industrial perspectives from HydRegen and AstraZeneca!
🧪 Hydrogen-Driven Biotechnology
📅 Date: 12th June 2025
📍 Location: Graz, Austria
🕒 Time: 9-12 AM
Looking forward to see you there!
FEBRUARY 1, 2025: First Anniversary
On the 1st of February, we marked 1 year since we first met as a consortium to kick off the CirculH2 project. One year more of working towards a sustainable future with hydrogenases applied in industry. 🧪
I would also like to take this opportunity to present a bit more about us, CirculH2 and its importance, to a broader audience in the following months, starting here:
Why hydrogenases?
Enzyme-based biotechnology is a powerfool tool for producing chemicals, however, many processes still rely on fossil ressources and inefficient bio-based materials. In contrast, chemical industry has already optimized the energy use by incorporating H2 as a clean and efficient energy carrier. But traditional H2 catalysts such as noble metals lack selectivity and biocompatibility that is needed for enzyme-driven reactions.
Nevertheless, recent breakthroughs in hydrogenase research to replace tranditional H2 catalysts has created a paradigm shift: Hydrogenases, nature’s catalyst for H2 conversion, are highly selective and have energy efficiencies that compete with those of precious metals. NiFe- and FeFe-hydrogenases have been discovered and engineered to efficiently regenerate key cofactors, making them valuable for industrial biocatalysis.
With the high activity, scalability, and ideal properties of hydrogenases, the perspective for their large-scale deployment in enzyme-based biotechnology has opened up and serves as a sustainable alternative to conventional chemistry.
📌 TLDR: Hydrogenase research breakthroughs enable enzyme-based biotech to harness H2 as an energy carrier, making biocatalysis more efficient and sustainable.
hashtag#Hydrogenase hashtag#SustainableEnergy hashtag#Biotechnology hashtag#ScientificResearch hashtag#Collaboration hashtag#CirculH2 hashtag#Innovation hashtag#RenewableEnergy hashtag#CircularEconomy
APRIL 28, 2025: Publication Alert! Switching the Cofactor
Can we use NADH instead of NADPH to drive enzymatic carboxylic acid reduction for the synthesis of industrially relevant compounds? Yes, we can!
Have a look at this work by our partner Margit Winkler from the TU Graz, recently published in the special collection of ChemCatChem “Women of Catalysis 2024”. 👩🔬
This is a great example of women driving the field of biocatalysis forward! 🧪
hashtag#circulh2 hashtag#biotechnology hashtag#biocatalysis hashtag#womeninstem hashtag#womeninscience
https://lnkd.in/efZ-6-_5
OCTOBER 29, 2024: Publication Alert! Reviews on Hydrogenases
Have a look at this review exploring methanogenesis in wastewater treatment that highlights the role of hydrogenases in methane production by our partner University of Zagreb Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology! Hydrogen activation by hydrogenases in methanogenesis enables the efficient biogas production and supports circular economy by turning organic waste into renewable energy!
They’ve also published a second review on hydrogenases—the key enzymes in our project—exploring their types, sources, and potential for industrial application in biocatalytic cascades for green hydrogen processes.
hashtag#CirculH2 hashtag#Methanogenesis hashtag#Hydrogenases hashtag#Biogas hashtag#WastewaterTreatment hashtag#Biocatalysis hashtag#GreenHydrogen hashtag#Sustainability hashtag#Research
https://lnkd.in/eAYqFuNd
https://lnkd.in/eF-pzEqn
OCTOBER 21-23, 2024: [FeFe]-H2ase Workshop at the TUM
We recently wrapped up the Hydrogenase Workshop at the Technical University of Munich Professorship of Electrobiotechnology organized by Nicolas Plumere and Kelly Lim-Trinh.
The sessions covered both theory and lab work on the expression and handling of [FeFe]-hydrogenases, led by Jan Jaenecke, Martin Winkler, and Kasia.
Discussions centered around the potential applications of hydrogenases in future industrial processes, particularly in sustainable energy and biotechnology.
We welcomed participants from both industry and academia, including EvoEnzyme, Enzymicals AG, and Axxence, as well as representatives from the University of Zagreb / Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Delft University of Technology, and Technische Universität Graz. Each of them also held a presentation on the potential applications of hydrogenases, exploring how these enzymes could be scaled up for industry and used sustainably for future technologies.
Apart from the scientific aspect, we enjoyed informal conversations over great dinner with everyone. Thank you for participating and we look forward to meet again at the consortium meeting next year! 🔜
Ivan Mateljak
Hana Dobiašová
Ana-Katarina Marić
Thijs van ‘t Riet
Lucija Sovic
@Martin Pagels
hashtag#Hydrogenase hashtag#TUM hashtag#SustainableEnergy hashtag#Biotechnology hashtag#ScientificResearch hashtag#Collaboration hashtag#CirculH2 hashtag#Innovation hashtag#RenewableEnergy hashtag#CircularEconomy
SEPTEMBER 25, 2024: CirculH2 in a podcast
Now that summer is behind us and everyone is back in full swing, I wanted to share some great news from CirculH2! 🌿
CirculH2 had the privilege of being featured in a podcast by acib GmbH, where our project manager, Nicolas Plumere, discussed the potential of hydrogenases in hydrogen production. We explored the goals of this innovative project and how hydrogenases could serve as a more sustainable alternative to existing technologies in the industry.
We’re happy to be part of this cutting-edge conversation and look forward to continuing to drive hydrogen innovation forward!
hashtag#CirculH2 hashtag#Sustainability hashtag#Biotechnology hashtag#Innovation hashtag#RenewableEnergy hashtag#CircularEconomy
Take your time to listen to this podcast: https://lnkd.in/ew6yYyKP
AUGUST 1, 2024: New Logo for CirculH2
CirculH2 has unveiled a new logo that elegantly represents the circularity of hydrogen. We extend our deepest appreciation to the graphic designer for their great work.
FEBRUARY 1, 2024: Mini-Symposium “Hydrogenases Meets Biotechnology”
On the 1st of February, the TUM in Campus Straubing organised an open symposium for all students and researchers about the topic “Hydrogenases meet Biotechnology”.
Grateful to our speakers and attendees for making this symposium a success! Have a look at the agenda!
FEBRUARY 1, 2024: KICK-OFF MEETING
🔬🌱 Exciting Announcement! Our team is thrilled to kick off the CirculH2 project, funded by the EU, dedicated to advancing industrial biotechnology for a sustainable future! 💡🌍
In our inaugural meeting which was held on 1st of February 2024 and coordinated by Nicolas Plumeré we discussed our mission to revolutionize chemical production by transitioning to renewable, energy-efficient, and recyclable resources. Our recent breakthrough in developing robust and scalable hydrogenases opens new possibilities for sustainable catalysis. ⚗️🔄
As part of our initiative, we organized an open symposium where scientists explored the intersection of hydrogenases and biotechnology. This symposium provided a platform for insightful discussions and showcased many interesting presentations from partners within the consortium. 🎤💼
CirculH2 aims to demonstrate the viability of using hydrogenases to drive biotransformations for specialty and commodity chemicals on an industrial scale. 🛠️📊
Our goal is to minimize energy usage and resource losses, contributing to decarbonization efforts and advancing European competitiveness in sustainable chemical production. 🔜
The meeting was attended by representatives of partners forming the project consortium: Technical University of Munich, Delft University of Technology, EvoEnzyme, Cascat GmbH, University of Zagreb / Sveučilište u Zagrebu, acib GmbH, Econutri, Axxence, AstraZeneca, Enzymicals AG and Sustainable Momentum.
💚 #CirculH2 #Sustainability #Biotechnology #Innovation #RenewableEnergy #CircularEconomy
