Master Student for Enhanced Rhamnolipid Production with <em>Pseudomonas putida</em>

27.04.2026, Studentische Hilfskräfte, Praktikantenstellen, Studienarbeiten

We are looking for a master student to improve rhamnolipid production in Pseudomonas putida using sucrose or molasses by engineering and characterizing genetically modified strains. The project may optionally include metabolic modeling to link physiological traits with biosurfactant synthesis.

Project background:

Rhamnolipids are biodegradable biosurfactants with strong surface‑active properties and are already produced industrially using the non‑pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas putida. Since current production relies on costly glucose, this project explores sucrose from agricultural waste streams such as molasses as a sustainable and low‑cost carbon source for rhamnolipid production.

Project description:

In this master’s thesis, you will explore how rhamnolipid production in Pseudomonas putida can be improved when sucrose or molasses is used as carbon source. You will construct and characterize genetically modified Pseudomonas putida strains and analyze how specific physiological and metabolic traits influence biosurfactant synthesis under defined cultivation conditions.

Depending on your interests, there is also the option to incorporate a modeling component, where you will develop a computational model to predict metabolic fluxes during rhamnolipid production.

Tasks and Methods:

• Constructing and verifying genetically modified Pseudomonas putida strains
• Cultivating and comparing these strains on sucrose and molasses in terms of growth rate, substrate uptake, and rhamnolipid production
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Optional: Developing a simplified computational model to predict metabolic fluxes during rhamnolipid production

Requirements:

• Background in biotechnology, molecular biology, microbiology, or a related field
• Interest in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering
• Basic lab skills; prior experience with microbial techniques is advantageous
• Start: from now on
• Optional: Interest or basic experience in computational modeling
• Language: English / German

Kontakt: luisa.klein@tum.de