Zhanar Abil

Zhanar Abil is an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida, leading the Abil Lab. Her research focuses on synthetic biology, particularly on constructing artificial living systems through autocatalytic genetic circuits (ACGCs). She holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois (2015) and bachelor's in Biotechnology from Indiana University (2009). Her postdoctoral work included roles at Delft Technical University (2018-2021) and the University of Texas Austin (2015-2018).

Her research interests center on creating synthetic life by engineering self-sustaining genetic systems. Key projects include developing vesicle-based synthetic cells and studying evolutionary mechanisms in closed-loop genetic networks. Recent work emphasizes integrating metabolism and evolution to realize synthetic life forms.

Publications highlight advancements in cell-free directed evolution, protocell design, and TALE protein dynamics. She actively seeks postdocs and graduate students to advance these goals through collaborations in synthetic biology and bottom-up systems biology.

No scientific awards are explicitly listed in the provided information. Current opportunities include positions in her lab focusing on cell-free systems and synthetic life engineering.