Master Thesis: Engineering Pseudomonas putida for Enhanced Rhamnolipid Production from Sucrose and Molasses

27.04.2026, Student assistants, internships, student research projects

The Professorship for Systems Biotechnology is 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, biochemistry 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
  

COntact:

This master thesis will take place at the Professorship for Systems Biotechnology at the Campus Garching. If you are curious about this project, you are welcome to contact Luisa Klein (luisa.klein@tum.de) with your CV and your transcript of records.

Kontakt: luisa.klein@tum.de