Wulf Blankenfeldt

Prof. Dr. Wulf Blankenfeldt is a Full Professor for Structural Biology of Proteins at Technische Universität Braunschweig and heads the Department Structure and Function of Proteins at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI). His research focuses on the structural and functional characterization of proteins involved in bacterial pathogenesis, virulence regulation, and antibiotic development, particularly in pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella pneumophila, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

His recent publications (2020-2025) span topics in structural biology, biochemistry, and microbiology, with emphasis on:

• Elucidating enzymatic mechanisms in bacterial virulence factors (e.g., quorum sensing, CRISPR inhibition, toxin production)
• Structure-based drug design targeting antibiotic-resistant pathogens
• Crystallographic analysis of protein complexes and catalytic domains
• Functional studies of redox-sensitive enzymes and their impact on host-pathogen interactions

Key methodologies include X-ray crystallography, protein engineering, and biochemical assays. Collaborations with institutions like the Max Planck Institute and University of Bayreuth reflect his interdisciplinary approach to combating infectious diseases.