The group was set up in November 2003, when Dr. Zongbao (Kent) ZHAO took the PI position. There are 3 staff scientists (associate Prof. Bo LIU, Dr. Yan SUN, Mr. Haidong TAN), 1 visiting professor (Prof. Yu-mei Sun) and 2 graduate students. The group is devoted to application-oriented fundamental research for biotransformation of lignocellulosic biomass into microbial oil and other fine chemicals. We are now screening and breeding dozens of microorganisms, trying to attain a few superior oleaginous strains. Microbes have so far been identified capable of accumulating lipids higher that 40% of their corresponding biomass and utilizing xylose. Another branch in this group is to develop novel lactate dehydrogenase depending on non-natural pyridine nucleotide cofactor through directed evolution. To achieve this goal, we have cloned and expressed E. coli lactate dehydrogenase gene. Two synthetic routes to NADH analogs have been developed.
Research Interests:
1. Bio-diesel from Lignocellulosic Biomass (CAS “Hundreds Talent Program” 2004-2006, RMB 1,000,000)
2. Engineering superior oxidoreductase (CAS “Hundreds Talent Program” 2004-2006, RMB 1,000,000)
3. “Key technology for transformation of corn stalk into bio-diesel” RMB 300,000, DICP knowledge innovation project, 2004-2005
