Heike Sträuber

Dr. Heike Sträuber is a Senior Scientist in the Department of Microbial Biotechnology at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ (UFZ) in Leipzig, Germany. She leads research in the Working Group Microbiology of Anaerobic Systems, with additional collaboration with the Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum (DBFZ). Her work focuses on developing and analyzing anaerobic fermentation processes and their integration into biorefinery concepts for sustainable production of green chemicals.

Dr. Sträuber earned her MSc in Biochemistry from the University of Leipzig (1992-1997) and completed her PhD at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ and University of Leipzig (1997-2001). Her academic journey includes postdoctoral positions at SIAB – Saxon Institute for Applied Biotechnology (2005) and UFZ (2002-2003), followed by research fellowships at UFZ in the Department of Bioenergy (2010-2014) and Research Group Flow Cytometry (2007-2009).

Dr. Sträuber's research focuses on developing and analyzing anaerobic fermentation processes for the production of valuable green chemicals such as carboxylates, hydrogen, and biomethane. Her work specifically targets the conversion of organic agro-industrial waste, plant material, and gaseous substrates into useful products. A significant achievement is the development of the CAPRAFERM® process for producing medium-chain carboxylates from complex biomass, which has potential applications in future biorefineries. She also investigates how carboxylic acids can be produced alongside biogas or biomethane in existing biogas plants, working in close cooperation with the Biochemical Conversion and Biorefineries departments of the DBFZ. Her research methodology combines process engineering with microbial ecology to understand and optimize anaerobic fermentation systems through systematic material and energy flow analyses.

Her extensive publication record demonstrates a focused research trajectory centered on chain elongation processes, microbial community dynamics in anaerobic systems, and process optimization for carboxylate production. The research spans fundamental microbial ecology, process engineering, and systems analysis, with increasing integration of machine learning approaches for predicting process performance. Her work addresses critical challenges in sustainable bioproduction, including feedstock utilization, process stability, and integration with existing infrastructure.

Dr. Sträuber has been actively involved in several research projects including CapUp, Cell4Chem, PaplGas2, and AcMp, demonstrating her engagement with both fundamental and applied research questions. Her collaborative approach extends to working with both academic and industrial partners to translate laboratory findings into practical applications for sustainable chemical production.

Based at the UFZ in Leipzig, Dr. Sträuber contributes to Germany's research infrastructure in sustainable biotechnology and bioeconomy. Her work bridges fundamental microbial research with practical applications, addressing critical challenges in sustainable chemical production including feedstock utilization, process stability, and integration with existing infrastructure. Through her research, she contributes to the development of circular economy approaches that convert waste streams into valuable products, supporting the transition toward more sustainable industrial processes.