Research in our group centers on cell engineering and molecular cell biology, with a strong focus on fundamental mechanisms that drive the development of novel biotechnological applications. We place particular emphasis on the methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii as a versatile model and production organism, investigating regulatory pathways, protein engineering, and metabolism to advance synthetic biology approaches. Our work combines fundamental discovery with applied biotechnology, focusing on the engineering and application of enzymes and cellular systems for sustainable production strategies. Key research areas include protein sorting, transport, and signaling, as well as the development of engineered yeast strains for the tailored production of enzymes, peptides, and metabolites. A particular strength of our research is the establishment of marker-free engineering strategies that enable safe and efficient strain development while meeting regulatory requirements. We have also created conditional mutants to dissect regulatory processes in yeast and implemented dual-use systems that support the development of sustainable biomanufacturing concepts. Our holistic approach integrates structural biology, protein biochemistry, systems-level strain engineering, and advanced protein analytics, and is pursued in close collaboration with industrial partners and academic partners in molecular biology, biochemistry, and bioprocess development.