Thomas Barends

Dr. Thomas Barends is an Independent Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Germany. He leads the Structural Biology of Elemental Cycles research group, focusing on the biochemical mechanisms of anammox bacteria and their role in the nitrogen cycle.

• Education: MSc (1998) and PhD (2004) in Chemistry, University of Groningen
• Career: Postdoc (2005-2010), Staff Scientist (2010-2013), and Group Leader (2014-present) at Max Planck Institute

His research spans structural biology, protein crystallography, and microbial biochemistry, particularly the anammox pathway. Using X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs), he investigates protein dynamics and mechanisms of nitrogen cycle enzymes like hydrazine synthase and hydroxylamine oxidoreductase.

Key publication trends include structural studies of anammox enzymes, XFEL method development, and rare earth-dependent biochemical processes. His work has elucidated the molecular basis of hydrazine synthesis and nitric oxide generation in extremophiles.

He collaborates with Prof. Mike Jetten’s microbiology group at Radboud University and co-organizes sessions at the German Crystallographic Society meetings.