(7a) Organizing Biochemical Reactions with Phase Separated Protein Droplets in vitro and in vivo

Driven by my interest to understand the engineering principles of biological systems and to apply those principles to develop novel processes in biotechnology, I have taken training in bioengineering, soft matter, cell and molecular biology. My research focuses on the organizational behavior of soft biological matter, particularly how cells use principles of phase transitions to form protein droplets to organize biochemical reactions. With multidisciplinary tools, we showed how intramolecular interactions can tune droplet physical properties to control their function as membrane-free organelles (Zhang et al. 2015, Molecular Cell). In my independent research, I aim to dissect the links between droplet assembly, physical properties and functional specificity in cells, which will benefit greatly from my newly gained skills in manipulating protein interactions with optogenetic tools (Zhang, et al. 2017, Nature Chemical Biology). In parallel, I will apply that knowledge to design protein droplet-based bioprocesses including bioreactors in vitro and in vivo to increase reaction rates and product yields of heterologous pathways that suffer from flux imbalance because the lack of organizational systems seen in endogenous pathways.

Teaching Interests:

I have gained teaching skills by working as a teaching assistant, participating in teaching workshops and mentoring students in multiple disciplines. With my in-depth training in biochemical engineering, cell and molecular biology, I am ready to teach chemical and biological engineering courses as well as to develop interdisciplinary courses such as soft matter principles in biology. My research program will provide a great platform for training students to integrate multidisciplinary approaches and perspectives to address questions at the interface of biology and engineering.