Find Academic Supervisors

• Synthetic Biology
• Metabolic Engineering
• Yeast Cell Factories
• +5 more

Verena Siewers is a Research Professor at the Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology. Her work focuses on synthetic biology and metabolic engineering of yeast cell factories for producing biofuels, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and bioplastics, with particular emphasis on developing biosensor tools for pathway optimization. Key research themes: yeast-based biosensors, lipid metabolism engineering, CRISPRi/a applications, and dynamic gene regulation Notable projects include: Development of acetic acid tolerance mechanisms Optimization of fatty acid ethyl esters production Engineering phosphoketolase pathways for acetyl-CoA overproduction Her recent articles reveal trends in: CRISPR-mediated pathway engineering Stress response transcriptional profiling Heterologous plant gene expression in yeast Promoter and transcription factor engineering Funding sources: VINNOVA Novo Nordisk Foundation Carl Tryggers Stiftelse EU Horizon grants Swedish Research Council (VR) Formas

Christoph DiehlView profile

Researcher

• Synthetic Biology
• Biocatalysis
• Metabolic Engineering
• +6 more

Dr. Christoph Diehl is a researcher at the Faculty of Chemistry , affiliated with the Organic Chemistry and Biocatalysis Group at the University of Bielefeld . His work focuses on synthetic biology and biocatalysis, particularly in developing biochemical systems for CO 2 fixation and complex molecule synthesis. Current Affiliation: University of Bielefeld, Faculty of Chemistry Research Group: Organic Chemistry and Biocatalysis / Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec) Research Interests Dr. Diehl specializes in: Designing synthetic CO 2 fixation cycles (THETA, HOPAC) Developing in vitro biochemical networks Engineering biocatalytic enzyme cascades Optimizing carbon utilization for chemical production Integrating machine learning with metabolic engineering Creating cell-free systems for biomanufacturing Publication Trends His recent work emphasizes synthetic CO 2 fixation pathways, biocatalytic cascade design, and machine learning-guided optimization of metabolic systems. He has pioneered modular approaches for terpene/polyketide synthesis from CO 2 and developed novel carboxylation modules.

• Environmental Engineering
• Bioremediation
• Wastewater Treatment
• +6 more

Dr. Satinder Kaur Brar is a Professor and James and Joanne Love Chair in Environmental Engineering at York University's Department of Civil Engineering. She leads the Inzymes Group and directs the One WATER Institute, focusing on interdisciplinary water sustainability research. Her work emphasizes value-added waste processing, emerging contaminant remediation, and innovative treatment technologies. She has attracted over $15 million in funding and trained 80 highly qualified personnel. Notable contributions include enzyme-based bioremediation, valorization of agricultural residues, and green oxidation methods for contaminants like microplastics and pharmaceuticals. Her research impacts global policies and industry collaborations. Dr. Brar's research interests span bioproduct development from wastewater, fate of emerging contaminants, and interdisciplinary water solutions. She pioneered the Enzyme Booster Technology for oil remediation and enzyme production from cold-active microbes. Collaborations with Quebec municipalities, TechnoRem Inc., and H2O Innovation highlight her applied research focus. Her awards include induction into the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (2021), the WEF Eddy Medal (2019), and multiple ASCE accolades. Over 400 peer-reviewed articles, 8 patents, and 15 edited books reflect her prolific output. The One WATER Institute, under her leadership, addresses global water challenges through collaborative initiatives like the UN Global Water Academy. Key grants and partnerships include funding from NSERC, industry collaborators like Lassonde Inc., and government bodies. Her lab’s work on crude glycerol-to-biofuel conversion and antibiotic-metal complex toxicity further underscores her innovation in sustainable biotechnology.

• Synthetic Biology
• CO2 Fixation and Photosynthesis
• Metabolic Engineering
• +3 more

Tobias Erb is a Professor at the University of Marburg and Director of the Department of Biochemistry and Synthetic Metabolism at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg. He received an ERC Advanced Grant (2024) for his project 'pro2neo-RUBISCO', aiming to enhance photosynthetic efficiency through synthetic biology. His research focuses on CO2 fixation, metabolic engineering, and enzyme design to address climate and agricultural challenges. He earned his PhD in microbiology from the University of Freiburg (2009) and held research positions in the US and Switzerland before becoming a Max Planck Director (2017) and University of Marburg professor (2018). His honors include the Leibniz Prize (2024), Otto Bayer Prize (2019), and EMBO membership (2022). Research interests span synthetic carbon assimilation pathways, Rubisco enzyme evolution, and sustainable biotechnology. He leads teams developing new-to-nature metabolic cycles (e.g., the C3/C4 shuttle) and engineered organisms for CO2 conversion. His work bridges foundational biology and applied biotechnology, with implications for bioeconomy and climate mitigation. Key achievements include the THETA cycle (2023), which outperforms natural CO2 fixation, and functional screening of uncultured microbes for novel CO2-reducing enzymes. Collaborations include cell-free systems for pathway testing and machine learning-driven enzyme optimization.

Bradley L. PenteluteView profile

Professor

• Chemical Biology
• Peptide Chemistry
• Protein Engineering
• +3 more

Bradley L. Pentelute is a Professor of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) , affiliated with the School of Science and the Department of Chemistry . His research focuses on developing advanced chemical tools for protein modification, drug delivery, and rapid biopolymer synthesis. The Pentelute Lab pioneers technologies like automated flow chemistry for protein synthesis and engineered anthrax toxin-based delivery systems. Research Interests: The lab invents chemistries to modify proteins for therapeutic applications, such as antibody-drug conjugates and cell-penetrating peptides. They also develop fast-flow synthesis platforms to produce large proteins and study protein-protein interactions using affinity selection-mass spectrometry. Key areas include peptide macrocycles , mirror-image proteins , and antisense delivery . Recent Work: The 2025 publications highlight advancements in automated synthesis of immune checkpoint receptors (PD-1/PD-L1), mirror-image proteins (e.g., cyclophilin A), and affinity selection techniques. Earlier work includes breakthroughs in anthrax toxin-mediated delivery of antisense oligonucleotides and ultra-fast protein synthesis. Labs & Teams: The Pentelute Lab collaborates widely, leveraging MIT’s resources to bridge chemistry, biology, and engineering. Ongoing projects include developing brain-penetrant therapeutics and machine learning-aided peptide design.

Bartosz GrzybowskiView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Artificial Intelligence in Chemistry
• Computer-Assisted Organic Synthesis
• Reaction Network Analysis
• +3 more

Bartosz Grzybowski serves as Distinguished Affiliate Professor at the Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS), leading the Laboratory of Computer-Assisted Synthesis. His work bridges artificial intelligence and experimental organic chemistry to transform synthesis from trial-and-error into algorithmic science. His research focuses on AI-driven synthesis planning , reaction network analysis , and computational prediction of chemical properties . Key contributions include pioneering algorithms for multistep organic synthesis of complex targets, discovery of novel organic reactions through AI, and design of temporally/spatially synchronized reaction networks. His group develops methods for sustainable chemistry, drug analog design, and enzymatic process optimization. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in retrosynthetic AI (87% of articles), sustainable chemistry applications (63%), and integration of mechanistic understanding with machine learning. Work frequently appears in Nature , Science , and JACS , emphasizing experimental validation of computational predictions. Prof. Grzybowski currently advises three PhD students and collaborates with a multidisciplinary team: Core team : Assoc. Prof. Michał Michalak (Adjunct), Dr. Anna Żądło-Dobrowolska, Dr. Aleksei Koshevarnikov Active grant : NCN SONATA 2020/39/D/ST4/01890 on hazardous chemical degradation (PI: Żądło-Dobrowolska) The Laboratory of Computer-Assisted Synthesis operates as an integrated computational-experimental unit at IBS-IOC PAS. Current projects include blockchain-orchestrated reaction networks, AI-guided catalyst selection, and metabolic-cycle emulation. The group maintains strong industry/academic partnerships for validating algorithms in drug discovery and green chemistry applications.

Lynn KamerlinView profile

Professor

• Computational Biophysics
• Molecular Evolution
• Enzyme Engineering
• +12 more

Lynn Kamerlin is a Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology and co-leads the Kamerlin Laboratory, which operates across Georgia Tech and Lund University. Her work integrates computational chemistry and biophysics to address fundamental questions in enzyme evolution, catalysis, and protein design. Education MNatSc in Chemistry, University of Birmingham (UK) PhD in Chemistry, University of Birmingham (UK) Her research spans computational biophysics , focusing on mechanistic biochemistry , protein evolution , and enzyme engineering . Key methodologies include machine learning , molecular dynamics simulations , EVB/QM/MM modeling , and natural language models for protein structure prediction. Recent publications highlight trends in AI-driven enzyme design , conformational dynamics , and mechanistic studies of phosphoryl transfer reactions . Tools like WatCon and Q-RepEx demonstrate her commitment to method development in computational biology. Scientific Awards Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar (2022-Present) Wallenberg Scholar (2020-2024) ERC Starting Grant (2012-2017) Wallenberg Academy Fellowship (2014-2019, prolonged 2019-2024) Young Academy of Europe Chair (2014-2015) Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2017) Her lab collaborates with experimental groups worldwide, leveraging enhanced sampling techniques and structural bioinformatics to engineer enzymes with tailored properties. Grants from the Swedish Research Council and European Research Council underpin her research on enzyme evolution and catalytic mechanisms. Current projects include computational design of thermostable enzymes , allosteric modulators for biomedical targets, and modular protein scaffolds . The lab also investigates non-canonical amino acid incorporation and FAIR data principles in biomolecular simulations.

Philip RomeroView profile

Associate Professor

• Protein Engineering
• Computational Biology
• Machine Learning
• +3 more

Philip Romero, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Duke University. He earned his doctorate from the California Institute of Technology in 2012 and leads the Romero Lab, which relocated to Duke in 2023. His research focuses on developing computational and experimental methods for protein engineering, with applications spanning therapeutics, biocatalysis, and synthetic biology. Research Interests: Romero's work integrates machine learning, microfluidics, and high-throughput experimentation to study protein fitness landscapes. Key areas include: Self-driving laboratories for autonomous protein optimization Neural network models for predicting protein functions Therapeutic enzyme engineering (ACE2, caspases, lysins) Microfluidic platforms for deep mutational scanning His recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on machine learning-guided protein design, with 80% of post-2022 publications involving AI/ML methods. Therapeutic applications against infectious diseases (particularly SARS-CoV-2) and microbiome engineering represent emerging directions. Lab & Advising: The Romero Lab develops novel technologies for protein engineering, including custom gene library assembly platforms and droplet microfluidics systems. Romero mentors graduate students (e.g., Nishit, who recently defended a thesis on transcription factor engineering) and has collaborated with researchers across computational biology, metabolic engineering, and virology.

• Process Systems Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Energy Conversion Systems
• +4 more

Prof. Kai Sundmacher is a Full Professor and Chair of Process Systems Engineering at Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, and Director of the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems. His expertise spans model-based analysis of complex process systems, integrated chemical processes, energy conversion (fuel cells/electrolysis), and biosystems engineering. He holds a Dr.-Ing. habil. from Clausthal University of Technology and has held visiting positions at institutions worldwide. Research focuses include catalyst design for CO2 methanation, digital twins for power-to-X processes, and sustainable chemical production. Awards include the Arnold Eucken Prize (1999) and Carl Zerbe Prize (1998). He leads initiatives like the Max Planck Research Network for Synthetic Biology and chairs the German Chemical Energy Research group. Teaching covers advanced process systems engineering, fuel cell technology, and bioprocess design. Over 500 publications include 400 peer-reviewed articles, with contributions to journals like Chemical Engineering Science and Fuel Cells. Active in academic service, he reviews ERC grants, chairs selection committees, and advises the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

• Protein Engineering
• Enzyme Engineering
• Biocatalysis
• +3 more

Prof. Ulrich Schwaneberg serves as a University Professor at RWTH Aachen University's Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences within the Institute of Biotechnology. His research group operates from the Biology Sammelbau facility (Worringerweg 3, Aachen) and maintains strong ties with the DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials. His primary research focuses on protein engineering and biocatalysis , with significant contributions to plastic degradation technologies (particularly PET hydrolases), material-binding peptide development , and high-throughput screening methodologies . Key research thrusts include engineering enzymes for plastic recycling, developing anchor peptides for industrial applications, and creating novel biocatalytic systems for sustainable chemistry. Recent publications reveal a strong trend toward computational-guided enzyme design (using MD simulations and machine learning) combined with practical applications in environmental remediation . His team actively develops solutions for microplastic detection, phosphate recovery, and textile functionalization using biohybrid systems. The 2025 article portfolio demonstrates particular emphasis on PET degradation technologies and enzyme immobilization strategies. Prof. Schwaneberg leads the recently launched Materials Lab Incubator (MerLIn) funded with over 7 million euros from BAFA, and coordinates the Bio4MatPro competence center connecting industry partners with academic research. His group actively recruits Chinese students through CSC fellowships and organizes the annual Aachen Protein Engineering Summer School (AcES2) . The Schwaneberg group maintains state-of-the-art facilities for directed evolution, high-throughput screening, and biocatalytic process development, with strong industry partnerships focused on sustainable material innovations. Current initiatives include the development of flame-retardant textile coatings using biohybrid anchor peptides and scalable systems for plastic upcycling.

Sanket DeshmukhView profile

Associate Professor

• Molecular Dynamics Simulations
• Materials Science
• Tribology
• +7 more

Sanket Deshmukh is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Virginia Tech. His research emphasizes computational materials science, combining molecular dynamics simulations, machine learning, and Bayesian statistical methods to study structure-property relationships in polymers, biomaterials, and nanomaterials. He focuses on developing coarse-grained models for predictive simulations of complex systems and advancing applications in energy storage, drug delivery, and tribology. Education: Ph.D., University College Dublin, Ireland (2009) M.Sc., University of Pune, India (2004) B.Sc., University of Pune, India (2002) Research Interests: Molecular dynamics on petascale supercomputers Nano- and meso-scale tribology Smart polymers and bio-materials Corrosion mechanisms and surface chemistry Machine learning for materials design His work bridges computational theory and experimental validation, with notable contributions to metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), thermoresponsive polymers, and graphene-based systems. Recent articles highlight advancements in AI-driven drug discovery, high-entropy alloys, and self-folding nanomaterials. Deshmukh’s research group actively explores applications in sustainable energy, biomedical engineering, and advanced materials. Lab activities include the Research Group Google Scholar , emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration in materials innovation.

• Fungal Carbon Metabolism
• Enzyme Technology
• Lignin Degradation
• +6 more

Miia Mäkelä is an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems at Aalto University, specializing in fungal enzyme systems and plant biomass conversion. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of fungal carbon metabolism, particularly in Aspergillus species and white-rot fungi like Dichomitus squalens. Her research interests span fungal carbon metabolism, enzyme technology for biorefinery applications, lignin degradation pathways, and fungal genomics. Dr. Mäkelä's work bridges fundamental fungal physiology with biotechnological applications, particularly in developing efficient enzyme systems for plant biomass conversion. She investigates how fungi adapt their enzyme production to different carbon sources, with emphasis on carbohydrate-active enzymes involved in lignocellulose degradation. Analysis of Dr. Mäkelä's recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a strong focus on fungal metabolism of plant biomass components, particularly sugar transporters, reductases, and dehydrogenases in Aspergillus species. Her work combines genomic, transcriptomic, and biochemical approaches to understand fungal adaptation to different carbon sources, with applications in biorefinery processes. A significant portion of her research explores the complex regulatory networks controlling plant biomass degradation in fungi. Dr. Mäkelä has established extensive collaborations, particularly with Ronald P. de Vries and other international researchers in fungal biotechnology. Her work appears in high-impact journals across microbiology, biotechnology, and biochemistry. Her research group maintains strong focus on both fundamental fungal physiology and practical applications in biorefinery processes. Current work includes enzyme discovery through genomic approaches, metabolic engineering of fungal cell factories, and development of efficient systems for lignocellulose conversion.

Frances H. ArnoldView profile

Professor

• Protein Engineering
• Directed Evolution
• Enzyme Engineering
• +3 more

Frances H. Arnold is the Linus Pauling Professor of Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, and Bioengineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) , where she directs the Rosen Bioengineering Center . A 2018 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, her work focuses on directed evolution of enzymes for novel chemical transformations, bridging protein engineering , synthetic biology , and machine learning . Research Interests: Her group pioneers methods to engineer enzymes for asymmetric catalysis , biocatalysis , and sustainable chemistry , leveraging directed evolution to create proteins with unnatural functions. Recent projects include AI-guided protein optimization and boron heterocycle synthesis . Publications & Trends: Recent work spans machine learning applications in protein design (e.g., discrete diffusion models), stereoselective enzymatic synthesis , and boron-based materials . Collaborations highlight interdisciplinary approaches to structural biology , drug development , and radical chemistry . Awards: Nobel Prize (2018), Priestley Medal (2025), and leadership roles in national science policy via the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) . Lab & Community: The Arnold Group trains future leaders in protein engineering , with alumni driving innovation at top institutions like MIT, Stanford, and CRG. She advocates for science-based policy and bioengineering solutions to global challenges.

• Environmental Biotechnology
• Wastewater Treatment Processes
• Quantum Computing Applications
• +6 more

Po-Heng (Henry) Lee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Imperial College London, part of the Faculty of Engineering. His research focuses on wastewater engineering, environmental biotechnology, and quantum computing applications in microbial systems. He leads the Industrial Biotechnology Hub, Microbiome Network, and Quantum Engineering, Science and Technology initiatives. Dr. Lee holds a PhD from Iowa State University (2010) and earlier degrees from institutions in Taiwan. His academic career includes roles at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2012-2018) and Inha University (2010-2012) before joining Imperial College in 2019. His research integrates quantum information theory with environmental engineering, exploring electron transfer mechanisms, anaerobic digestion optimization, and water reuse in AI/semiconductor contexts. Techniques include quantum computing platforms (IBM Qiskit, Xanadu), meta-omics, and Gaussian Bosonic Sampling. Key application areas include enhancing antibiotic and nitrogen removal via microbiome-conductive material interactions, smart chemical dosing for industrial cooling systems, and optimizing full-scale wastewater plants. His work bridges quantum mechanics and microbial ecology to address sustainability challenges. Dr. Lee's lab develops innovative solutions for resource recovery, greenhouse gas reduction, and bioplastic production. Major collaborations focus on AI-driven process control and semiconductor manufacturing wastewater treatment.

• mRNA Vaccine and Therapeutics Manufacturing
• Continuous Bioprocessing
• Process Intensification
• +3 more

Dr. Zoltán Kis serves as a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering at The University of Sheffield and holds an Honorary Lecturer position at Imperial College London's Department of Chemical Engineering. His research focuses on innovating disease-agnostic RNA vaccine and therapeutics manufacturing platforms through process digitalization and intensification. Dr. Kis earned his Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Imperial College London, complemented by an M.Sc. in Applied Biotechnology and a B.Eng. in Chemical with Biochemical Engineering. His interdisciplinary training bridges chemical engineering, biotechnology, and bioengineering disciplines. His research integrates experimental and computational methodologies to revolutionize mRNA production: Development of continuous enzymatic synthesis, purification, and LNP formulation processes Process intensification through novel unit operations and equipment design Digital twin deployment for real-time monitoring and control Techno-economic modeling to reduce production costs Quality by Digital Design framework implementation for regulatory compliance Analysis of recent publications reveals dominant trends in continuous bioprocessing and digital transformation of mRNA manufacturing. Key subfields include oligo-dT chromatography optimization, tangential flow filtration for mRNA purification, and digital twin applications for process control, with strong emphasis on pandemic-response capabilities and cost reduction strategies. Dr. Kis actively supervises PhD students in mRNA bioprocessing and teaches Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing (CPE336/CPE6043) and Introduction to Bioengineering (BIE103). His industry engagement includes advisory roles on Sanofi's mRNA CMC Board and Pfizer's mRNA Technology Advisory Board. He leads the RNA Manufacturing Innovation Team and has secured substantial research funding, including: £3.7 million CEPI grant for RNAbox platform (2024-2027) £7.6 million UK-SEA Vaccine Manufacturing Hub (2023-2028) £2 million Innovate UK project for automated RNA platform (2023-2025) Multi-million USD Wellcome Leap R3 grant for distributed RNA production His work demonstrates significant impact through industry partnerships, policy advisory roles including WHO mRNA Technology Transfer Hub consultancy, and leadership in advancing global vaccine manufacturing capabilities.