Nielsen Lab @ ASU

Who we are

We are a team of engineers and scientists focused on developing novel biotechnologies for efficiently converting renewable feedstocks into a variety of sustainable fuel and chemical products.

We work at the interface of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, while also incorporating key elements of industrial and applied microbiology, and use these skills to ‘re-program’ and study microorganisms that carry out various functions of interest. Current applications include engineering novel biosynthetic pathways, expanding catabolic range and capacity, improving strain robustness, and enhancing other traits of industrial importance, among others. Learn more…

What we value

Complex problems require multi-disciplinary solutions. Thus, for us and the scientific community as a whole to continue to gain new and meaningful fundamental insights that will ultimately help to address the Grand Challenges facing today’s society, it is critical that unique and fresh perspectives are both encouraged and enthusiastically embraced. To this end, our group continues to provide a safe and inclusive environment where all are welcome, regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity, nation of origin, age, education, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and/or beliefs. Science belongs to all of us, and our discoveries are better and stronger when achieved together.

Current research

Metabolic Engineering

Novel pathway engineering
Strain optimization
Product tolerance
Adaptive laboratory evolution

Synthetic Biology

New strain engineering tools
Biosensors
Dynamic control
Synthetic microbial communities

Bioprocess Engineering

Integrated bioreactors
Product separation
Photobioreactors
Process modeling and optimization