Synthetic Biology
@ Shao Group
Research
The advent of synthetic biology has revolutionized our ability to understand molecular mechanisms in complex biological processes, re-program genetic coding, and create novel functions. Our group is interested in both biochemical engineering and biomedical engineering, with the long-term goal to elucidate the ‘functional genomics’ of high-performing microbial species that have unique genetic, biochemical, metabolic, and physiological features. We strive for developing platform technologies to provide generalizable strain-engineering solutions, enabling rapid, functional modifications of high-performance microbes, and exploring their potentials as microbial factories and/or disease models.
Building
Integrating
Elucidating
Creating
Exploring
Establishing
yeasts as models for studying human diseases and disorders
News
Dr. Shao was awarded the 2018 NSF CAREER award
May 26, 2018
Shao group was recently awarded the 5-year NSF CAREER award to study the noncoding nucleosome-depleted sequences and exploring their novel applications in synthetic biology.
A new postdoc opening in the Synthetic Biology area
Nov 6, 2017
Shao group has a new postdoc opening in the area of synthetic biology, specifically related to elucidating generic design rules in exploring non-model microorganisms. Applicants should send a cover letter and CV to Dr. Zengyi Shao at zyshao@iastate.edu.
Shao group attended Spiegelman Symposium at University of Illinois
Oct 22, 2017
The Spiegelman Symposium is in honor of University of Illinois microbiologist Sol Spiegelman and his work with recombinant DNA technology. The picture below captured Shao group’s students standing in front of Dr. Shao’s last poster at Illinois when she was a postdoc there.
Aric won the first place in the perfect pitch competition at CBIRC annual meeting
Oct 20, 2017
Aric’s 90-sec perfect pitch entitled “Isogenic Consortia” won the first place in the Perfect Pitch Competition at CBiRC Annual Meeting in Oct. Well done, Aric!
Miguel won “Best of BIOT” award at ACS 2017
Aug 20, 2017
Miguel’s talk entitled “Multilevel Engineering of the Upstream Module of Aromatic Amino Acid Biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for High Production of Polymer and Drug Precursors” at the 2017 ACS National Meeting in San Francisco was awarded “Best of BIOT” by the Division of Biochemical Technology (BIOT). You rock, Miguel!
Research grant from NSF MCB division on studying nonconventional yeasts
Aug 20, 2017
Shao group was recently awarded a 3-year NSF grant on elucidating the core design principles to study novel high-performing yeast species that display highly desirable features that are not possessed by model yeasts.
The first two Ph.D. from Shao family
Miguel and Le successfully defended their thesis “Metabolic Engineering Strategies for High-level Production of Aromatic Amino Acid Pathway Derivatives in Saccharomyces cerevisiae” and “Exploring the Production of High-value Compounds in Plant Catharanthus roseus Hairy Roots and Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica”. Congratulations and best wishes to you two’s next journey!
Shao group and ESTose Biorenewables, LLC were awarded Regents Innovation Fund
July 1, 2017
This RIF grant will support the R&D of yeast-based microbial cell factories to produce plant-sourced natural products originated from aromatic amino acid pathways.
Shao group’s patent was filed
June 30, 2017
Based on the great work of Mingfeng, Miguel, and Meirong, our group’s patent entitled “Building Yeast Factories for Production of Aromatic Compounds-from Building Blocks to Plant Secondary Metabolites” was filed (ISURF#04508, 2017).
ISU CBE faculty involved in outreach program at Saylorville Visitor Center Theater
July 1, 2017
A team led by Dr. Jarboe, Dr. Mansell, and Dr. Shao went to Saylorville Visitor Center Theater, discussing with the public audience about building biological factories for the production of medicines, fuels, and chemicals.
Qianhe will start her graduate school study at Northwestern University
June 15, 2017
After spending two years in our group doing research, our undergraduate student Qianhe will start her graduate school journey in the Fall of 2017 at Northwestern University. Go forward, Qianhe!
Deon was awarded the prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
March 30, 2017
Deon was selected as the recipient of the prestigious NSF GRFP. Well done and big congratulations!
Carmen was awarded Trinect Fellowship
Dec 30, 2016
Carmen was selected as one of the recipients of the Trinect Fellowship to help support Des Moines Public School curriculum. She will cooperate with 3rd – 5th-grade teachers to incorporate engineering concepts into class material. The whole program was funded by NSF, aiming to create a new model to enhance elementary teachers’ preparedness to teach STEM subjects. Look forward to seeing a broader impact of our efforts!
Miguel was awarded Research Excellence Award
Dec 30, 2016
Miguel was selected as the 2016 recipient of the College of Engineering Research Excellence Award. Big congratulations!
Shao was appointed as Jack R. and Carol A. Johnson Faculty Fellow
Dec 30, 2016
Prof. Shao was nominated as the recipient of Jack R. and Carol A. Johnson Faculty Fellowship in 2017-2018.
Deon was awarded Presidential Fellowship
Dec 30, 2016
Welcome Deon to join Shao group. His strong academic background has made him the awardee of the 2017 Presidential Fellowship. Congratulations!
Shao was the recipient of Iowa Energy Center Impact Award
Dec 30, 2016
Prof. Shao was selected as one of the awardees of 2016 Iowa Energy Center Impact Award. She will present her group of research in Iowa Energy Summit in the Fall.