The invention relates to a method comprising the following steps: a) providing a primary alcohol of the formula HO-(CH2)x-R1, in which R1 is selected from the group comprising -OH, -SH, -NH2, and -COOR2, x is at least 3, and R2 is selected from the group comprising H, alkyl, and aryl, b) oxidising the primary alcohol by bringing it into contact with an NAD(P)+-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase, and c) bringing the oxidation product from step a) into contact with a transaminase, the NAD(P)+-alcohol dehydrogenase and/or the transaminase being a recombinant or an isolated enzyme. The invention also relates to a whole-cell catalyst for carrying out said method, and to the use of such a whole-cell catalyst for oxidising a primary alcohol.