Developing novel synthetic biology tools for next generation biologics and biomaterial manufacturing

The recent advances in synthetic biology have now enabled us to generate new tools for producing customised protein-based biologics or biomaterials by unlocking the potential of non-natural living materials. In this project, we will develop new genetic and protein based tools and technologies to control the production of large, difficult-to-express or toxic proteins/enzymes in microbial cell factories with an aim of increased yields and improved quality. These proteins generally possess important therapeutic or bio-catalytic functions and thus are of high economical and societal value. In addition, we will develop and apply these scale tools to produce tunable biomaterials with customised mechanical or optical functionalities that could have either military or wide civil usage. For instance, protection biomaterials may be engineered which is resistant to strong mechano stretch yet still extremely light and transparent.

The project will provide the student a comprehensive training of advanced molecular cloning and genetic tools, innovative synthetic biology techniques, microbiology and biochemistry skills. The research thus gives the student an inter-disciplinary research experience and cutting edge technologies exposure to prepare well for his/her future research career. The student may also benefit from the opportunity to work collaboratively with some of our industrial partners in biotechnology and biomedicine.