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…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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.
Research Areas
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
Take a Tour of our Lab Space
New NSF Project!
by Apr 18, 2022 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
|We are excited to begin work on a new project related to enhancing CO2 fixation in ‘dark’ fermentations. This project will combine both synthetic biology and bioprocessing solutions, and our team includes Profs. Bruce Rittmann and Xuan Wang. Looking forward to…
Congrats Dr. Dookeran!
by Feb 16, 2022 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
|Congrats to our latest Ph.D. grad, Zach Dookeran, for successfully defending his thesis earlier this month!
Biological Integration Institute for Mechanisms of Cellular Evolution Launches
by Feb 16, 2022 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
|The new Biological Integration Institute for Mechanisms of Cellular Evolution recently launched at ASU, led by Prof. Michael Lynch. We are excited to be a part of the team and look forward to building collaborations! More info here…
New DOE project to investigate bicarbonate transport
by May 19, 2021 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
|Together with the Nannenga Lab, we are excited to kick-off a new DOE BES project entitled ‘Exploring structure-function relationships governing transport by and regulation of the major cyanobacterial bicarbonate transporters SbtA and BicA’!
Congrats New M.Sc. Grads!
by Apr 28, 2021 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
|Congrats to Omar, Raj, and Chandra on completing your M.Sc. Degrees! Best of luck in your next positions!
Biological Integration Institute for Mechanisms of Cellular Evolution Launches
by Feb 16, 2022 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
|Dr. Andrew Flores successfully defended his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering today! Andrew was co-mentor by Prof. Nielsen and Prof. Xuan Wang (SOLS), and his thesis was entitled ‘Engineering Synthetic Coculture Systems for Enhanced Bioproduction Applications’. Well…
Visit to IIT
by Mar 14, 2020 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
|Had a great visit to Illinois Institute of Technology earlier this month! Enjoyed meeting new colleagues and it was a pleasure to present a research seminar on some of our recent works.
FURI/MORE Symposium Spring ’21
by Apr 16, 2021 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
|Congrats to Ashley, Chey and Omar on their great presentations as part of the Fulton Schools Spring 2021 FURI/MORE Symposium! Great job! Learn more here and…
Moving to Biodesign C
by Jul 30, 2019 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
|A busy Summer made busier by moving our lab to the new Biodesign C building! Phase 1 is complete, with the full move slated for early Fall. We had a small celebration to say goodbye to our old space in GWC. w The new space is fantastic, and we are looking forward to…
Convocation 2019
by Dec 18, 2019 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
|Big congrats to Dr. Machas on his hooding today!!!
by Dec 18, 2019 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
|Congrats to Ashley, Chey and Omar on their great presentations as part of the Fulton Schools Spring 2021 FURI/MORE Symposium! Great job! Learn more here and…
SIMB 2019
by Jul 14, 2019 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
|Andrew will present his latest co-culture work (a collaboration with Prof. Xuan Wang) at SIMB 2019! Be sure to stop by his poster. Oh, and he also won a Diversity Travel Award! Congrats! http://www.simbhq.org/annual/sciprogram/awards/diversity-travel/…