In this captivating episode, delve into the intriguing world of enzymes, nature's microscopic machines, as Uwe Bornscheuer recounts his early fascination with their intricate design and function. Traverse through time as we explore both historical and contemporary methods of enzyme engineering and discover the parallels between enzyme optimization and techniques used in machine learning and operations research. Uwe's driving forces are a potent mix of impact on the world and the joy of nurturing people. And for a lighter note, Uwe reveals his 'M-Word' – his (not so secret) escape from the lab. Don't miss it!