Prof. Dr. Alexander Steinbüchel
was born in Lüneburg, Germany, in 1953.
His interest in microbiology began with undergraduate studies at the
University of Göttingen and was extended through his research work
in the field of enzyme fermentation undertaken for his Diploma and PhD
theses with Prof. Schlegel at the same university.
After a year at Rockerfeller University (New York) in the department
of Prof. Christian DeDuve, he returned to the University of Göttingen
where he completed his habilitation in 1991. He spent one month as a Visiting
Professor at the University of Buenos Aires.
Since September 1994 has held the Chair of Full Professor of Microbiology
and has been the Director of the Institut für Mikrobiologie at Westfälische
Wilhelms-Universität Münster.
His current areas of interest are the physiology, biochemistry and genetics
of
-
metabolism and biotechnological production of polyhydroxyalkanoates,
-
biosynthesis and biotechnological production of polyamides,
-
biodegradation of natural rubber and chemosynthetic polymers,
-
microbial synthesis of lipids and waxes,
-
biotechnological production of flavor compounds.
A highlight of his career is the award of“Philip Morris Forschungspreis”
received with H. G. Schlegel and G. Gottschalk for the production of biodegradable
thermoplastic polyesters from renewable resources.
He has over 250 publications to his name and has contributed to the
organization of several symposia focusing on biopolymers.
He is Editor-in-Chief of the journal Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
and an active member of the editorial boards of the journals Microbiology,
Macromoecular Bioscience, Biomacromolecules and Journal of Environmental
Polymer Degradation.
Prof. Dr. Alexander Steinbüchel is married and has 3 children.
