Research conducted at Professor Sieber’s Chair is aimed at developing technical processes for the sustainable production of bulk and fine chemicals from biogenic raw materials and renewable energy. The technological focus is on industrial (chemical) biotechnology. By applying methods from biochemistry, microbiology and molecular biology, new biocatalysts (enzymes, cells or micro-organisms) are developed and then combined with chemical catalysts in cascade reactions.
Professor Sieber studied chemistry at the University of Bayreuth and the University of Delaware. After obtaining his doctorate he went to the California Institute of Technology as a research fellow. Following a brief sojourn at McKinsey & Co., Professor Sieber held a number of positions in the chemicals industry between 2001 and 2008 (Degussa, Süd-Chemie). He has been a full professor at TUM since late 2008. Since 2009, he has built up the Fraunhofer Institute’s branch BioCat, which he currently directs.
- Since 2009
Head of Department, Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology, Bio, Electro and Chemocatalysis BioCat, Straubing branch
- Since 2008
Full Professor, Technical University of Munich, Chair of Chemistry of Biogenic Resources, Germany
- 2007–2008
Südchemie AG, München, Project Manager Biorefinery Processes, Global Manager New Technologies and R&D
- 2001–2007
Degussa AG, Freising and Marl, various positions in R&D and development in the area of bio- and chemo-conversion of biomass based chemicals
- 2000
McKinsey & Company, Stuttgart, Consultant
- 1995–1998
University of Bayreuth, PhD in Biochemistry
- 1990–1995
Studies of Chemistry, University of Bayreuth and University of Delaware
- Since 2017
Honory Professor University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- 1999–2000
Research Fellow at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA
- 1998
Award of Protein Society
- Since 2015
Founding member of the Council on Bioeconomy for the government of the Free State of Bavaria
Vice Dean TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, TUM
- Since 2014
Deputy Director Research, Straubing Center of Science
- 2011–2014
Founding Director of the TUM Centrum for White Biotechnology
Development and evaluation of chemical and biotechnological processes for material conversion of renewable raw materials for
- platform chemicals
- biofuels
- Fine and specialty chemicals
- Bioactive substances (pharmaceuticals, nutrition)
Molecular Biology
Enzyme Technology
Protein Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Analytics
Fermentation
