Lukas Hiller started studying chemistry at the Humboldt-University of Berlin in 2018 and obtained his master’s degree in April of 2024. His master’s thesis revolved around the expression and characterization of recombinant anti-tetanus-antibodies with different glycosylation patterns at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) under the supervision of Dr. Michael Weller. He is now working at the HIPS in the group of Dr. Julian Hegemann which tackles the topic of Microbiota-Associated Natural Products.

Lukas’ PhD project focuses on the research and modification of the lasso peptide microcin J25 in order to improve its stability under physiological conditions as well as its antimicrobial properties. Employing bioengineering strategies and heterologous production, new variations of microcin J25 will be created to facilitate structure-activity-relationship studies aimed at enhancing its biological activity. Beyond that, new-to-nature lasso peptides will be constructed in cooperation with National Taiwan University.