Denise Mehner-Breitfeld

Dr. Denise Mehner-Breitfeld is a researcher at the Institute of Microbiology, Leibniz University Hannover. Her work focuses on microbial biochemistry and protein transport mechanisms, particularly the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) system. She holds a PhD from the University of Halle and Leibniz University Hannover, where her thesis explored Tat-transport mechanisms. She contributes to academic governance as Deputy Scientific Staff for the Molecular Microbiology MSc program and serves on admissions and examination boards.

Her research investigates protein translocation across bacterial membranes, holin-antiholin systems in phage T4, and interactions between Tat components (TatA, TatBC) with membrane proteins. Recent work explores TatBC-TatA cluster interactions and SlyD chaperone roles in protein recognition. She also examines phage-derived systems in Clostridioides difficile toxin transport and membrane-stabilizing mechanisms linked to the Psp system.

Publications span 2012–2024, analyzing Tat system biophysics, holin-mediated transport, and membrane protein dynamics. Her studies integrate structural biology, molecular microbiology, and biochemistry to elucidate fundamental mechanisms of protein trafficking in bacteria.

Professional roles include BAFÖG representative for biology and committee participation in research staff governance. She collaborates closely with Prof. Brüser’s research group, contributing to experimental and computational studies of bacterial membrane systems.