Eldin Kurpejovic

Biography

Dr. Eldin Kurpejovic is a bioengineer with more than eight years of experience in bioprocess engineering, metabolic engineering, and microbial biotechnology. He holds a PhD in Bioengineering from Marmara University, Türkiye, where his research focused on the metabolic engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum for the production of valuable compounds, including L-tyrosine, L-DOPA, and eumelanin. His research experience includes microbial genetics, fermentation development and optimization, enzyme kinetics, and the valorization of renewable and waste-derived feedstocks. He subsequently worked as a Senior Scientist in downstream processing development at AciesBio in Ljubljana, Slovenia, contributing to bioprocess development and product recovery. His broader interests lie in developing sustainable microbial cell factories and integrated bioprocesses for the production of high-value biochemicals.

Research Interests

My research interests focus on metabolic engineering, industrial biotechnology, and sustainable biomanufacturing. I am particularly interested in engineering microbes for the sustainable production of high-value compounds, including amino acids, pigments, and other bioactive products. My research integrates metabolic engineering, fermentation optimization, downstream processing and bioprocess development. As a postdoctoral researcher in algal biotechnology, I am expanding my work toward microalgae-based production platforms, focusing on cultivation optimization, cellular metabolism, and scalable bioprocesses. I am also interested in valorizing renewable and waste-derived feedstocks and integrating upstream and downstream processes to advance the sustainable biomanufacturing.

Selected Publications

Abdullahoglu, E., Kurpejović, E., Junker, N. et al. Waste-to-value conversion of orange waste into L-Tyrosine. Systems Microbiology and Biomanufacturing 6, 149 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43393-026-00531-y

Kurpejović, E., Emirhanoglu, S., Abdullahoglu, E., Altinisik Kaya, F.E., Ozbek, P., Peters-Wendisch, P., Wendisch, V.F., Sariyar Akbulut, B. (2025). Exploring the bifunctionality of aminotransferases in the arogenate route of L-tyrosine synthesis. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics. https://doi.org/10.1080/07391102.2025.2600483.

Kurpejović, E., Sariyar Akbulut, B., Avci, F.G. (2025). Tailoring Corynebacterium glutamicum for Sustainable Biomanufacturing: From Traditional to Cutting-Edge Technologies. Molecular Biotechnology, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12033-025-01447-z.

Kurpejović, E., Karcioglu, C., Abdullahoglu, E., Sayar, N.A., Wendisch, V.F., Sariyar Akbulut, B. (2025). De novo production of eumelanin in a fermentative process with Corynebacterium glutamicum. Biocatalysis and Biotransformation, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/10242422.2025.2485090.

Kurpejović, E., Wibberg D., Bastem G.M., Burgardt A., Busche T., Altinisik Kaya F.A., Dräger A., Wendisch, V.F., Sariyar Akbulut B. (2023). Can Genome Sequencing Coupled to Flux Balance Analyses Offer Precision Guidance for Industrial Strain Development? The Lessons from Carbon Trafficking in Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 21573. OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology, 27, 434-443.

http://doi.org/10.1089/omi.2023.0098.

Kurpejović, E., Burgardt A., Bastem G.M., Junker N., Wendisch V.F., Sariyar Akbulut B. (2023). Metabolic engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum for L-tyrosine production from glucose and xylose. Journal of Biotechnology, 363, 8–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiotec.2022.12.005.

Pakalın B., Kurpejović, E., Bastem, G.M., Sayar, N.A., Wendisch, V.F., Sariyar Akbulut, B. (2023). Valorization of hazelnut husk as a carbon source for L-DOPA production with Corynebacterium glutamicum. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 190, 108768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bej.2022.108768.

Kurpejović, E., Wendisch, V.F., Sariyar Akbulut, B. (2021). Tyrosinase-based production of L-DOPA by Corynebacterium glutamicum. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 105, 9103–9111. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-021-11681-5.

Education

PhD in Bioengineering, TurkeyMarmara University, Istanbul,

Awards

FEMS Research Grant Awardee, FEMS-GO-2019-509, Visiting Researcher at Bielefeld University, Germany (January–April 2020).

KAUST Affiliations

Sustainable & Synthetic Biotechnology Group, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering