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Dr. John C. D'Auria

Research focus

The Metabolic Diversity group pioneers sustainable chemical production, with a goal of displacing petrochemicals using Synthetic Biology and Green Chemistry. We are leaders in plant specialized metabolism, decoding and engineering complex enzyme pathways. Our breakthroughs include completing the tropane biosynthetic pathway and discovering the AMI synthase for gramine. We deploy this expertise to create novel solutions for crop defense and aim to develop enzyme-based detoxification therapies.

Research picture John d'Auria

© John d'Auria

Most important publications

  1. Dias SL, Chuang L, Liu S, Seligmann B, Brendel FL, Chavez BG, Hoffie RE, Hoffie I, Kumlehn J, Bultemeier A, Wolf J, Herde M, Witte CP, D'Auria JC, Franke J (2024) Biosynthesis of the allelopathic alkaloid gramine in barley by a cryptic oxidative rearrangement. Science 383(6690):1448-1454. doi: 10.1126/science.adk6112.
  2. Chavez BG, Srinivasan P, Glockzin K, Kim N, Montero Estrada O, Jirschitzka J, Rowden G, Shao J, Meinhardt L, Smolke CD, D'Auria JC (2022) Elucidation of tropane alkaloid biosynthesis in Erythroxylum coca using a microbial pathway discovery platform. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 119(49):e2215372119. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2215372119.
  3. Wang Y-J, Tain T, Yu J-Y, Li J, Xu B, Chen J, D’Auria JC, Huang J-P, Huang S-X (2023) Genomic and structural basis for evolution of tropane alkaloid biosynthesis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 120(17):e2302448120. doi: doi:10.1073/pnas.2302448120.
  4. Schmidt GW, Jirschitzka J, Porta T, Reichelt M, Luck K, Torre JC, Dolke F, Varesio E, Hopfgartner G, Gershenzon J, D'Auria JC (2015) The last step in cocaine biosynthesis is catalyzed by a BAHD acyltransferase. Plant Physiol 167(1):89-101. doi: 10.1104/pp.114.248187.
  5. Moghe G, Kruse LH, Petersen M, Scossa F, Fernie AR, Gaquerel E, D'Auria JC (2023) BAHD Company: The Ever-Expanding Roles of the BAHD Acyltransferase Gene Family in Plants. Annu Rev Plant Biol 74:165-194. doi: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-062922-050122.
Dr. John C. D'Auria
Dr. John C. D'Auria

Telephone+49 39482 5176

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Metabolic Diversity
Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK)

https://www.ipk-gatersleben.de/en/research/molecular-genetics/metabolic-diversity