Thomas Haas
Papers
1
Total Citations
35
H-Index
1
About
Thomas Haas is a leading figure in biocatalysis and green chemistry, with a focused expertise in the enzymatic conversion of renewable building blocks into high-value amines. His most impactful work, the 2013 study "Coupled Enzymatic Alcohol‐to‐Amine Conversion of Isosorbide using Engineered Transaminases and Dehydrogenases" (35 citations), represents a landmark achievement in synthetic biology. In this research, Haas masterfully engineered a matched pair of dehydrogenases and transaminases, meticulously optimizing substrate recognition, catalytic activity, and cofactor specificity. The result was a groundbreaking, multi-step biocatalytic cascade that successfully converted the bicyclic dialcohol isosorbide—a platform chemical derived from biomass—into a diamine. This work is pivotal for the sustainable production of bio-based polymers and pharmaceuticals, offering a green alternative to traditional, metal-dependent chemical synthesis. By demonstrating that complex, multi-enzyme systems can be rationally designed to perform challenging transformations, Haas has significantly advanced the field of applied biocatalysis, providing a powerful blueprint for converting abundant, renewable feedstocks into essential industrial chemicals.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1