Erhard Bremer

Erhard Bremer

Prof. Dr. Erhard Bremer

Philipps University Marburg
Department of Biology
Laboratory for Molecular Microbiology
Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 8
35032 Marburg
+49-6421 28 1529
bremer@staff.uni-marburg.de

Research Area

The development of the cytoplasmic membrane was a key event in the evolution of microbial cells as it created a protected reaction chamber for the performance of life’s vital attributes. However, it also generated a severe problem for microbial cells because this biochemical reaction chamber with its high concentrations of nucleic acids, proteins, organic metabolites and inorganic ions possesses a high osmotic potential. This makes the microbial cell vulnerable to changes in environmental osmolarity as these will inevitably trigger water fluxes across the semi-permeable cytoplasmic membrane, causing either dehydration of the cytoplasm (upon sudden or sustained exposure to high osmolarity), or cell rupture (upon sudden exposure to low osmolarity). The Bremer group studies the genetics, physiology, and molecular biology of the cellular adjustment responses of microorganisms, in particular of Bacillus subtilis, to osmotic stress.

Expertise

Microbial genetics
Microbial physiology
Regulatory networks
Genomics and transcriptomics
Transport systems
Analytics of metabolites
Uses of compatible solutes
Cell factories
Biochemistry
Synthetic microbiology

Recent Publications

1. Mais C-N, Hermann L, Altegoer F, Seubert A, Richter AA, Wernersbach I, Czech L, Bremer E, Bange, G (2020) Degradation of the microbial stress protectants and chemical chaperones ectoine and hydroxyectoine by a bacterial hydrolase-deacetylase complex. J Biol Chem 295: 9087-9104.

2. Czech L, Höppner A., Kobus S, Seubert A, Riclea R, Dickschat JS, Heider J, Smits HJS, Bremer, E (2019) Illuminating the catalytic core of ectoine synthase through structural and biochemical analysis. Sci Rep 9:364.

3. Hoffmann T, Warmbold B, Smits SHJ, Tschapek B, Ronzheimer S, Bashir A, Chen, C, Rolbetzki A, Pittelkow M, Jebbar M, Seubert A, Schmitt L, Bremer E (2018) Arsenobetaine: an ecophysiological important organoarsenical confers cytoprotection against osmotic stress and growth temperature extremes. Env Microbiol 20: 305-323.

https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/fb17/fachgebiete/mikrobiologie/ag-bremer

SYNMIKRO Young Researchers Groups

Almost all scientific members of SYNMIKRO are actively involved in DFG’s Collaborative Research Centers (Sonderforschungsbereiche), Research Training Groups (Graduiertenkollegs), or other Cooperative Research projects. Alongside performing adventurous experiments, and reporting excellent science, SYNMIKRO substantially promotes potential Young Research Group Leaders by constantly keeping its doors open to welcome and support Young Researchers planning to set up an Independent Research Group.
Our Young Research Groups