Directed Evolution, Synthetic Biology, Protein Engineering, Biocatalysis, Biofuels
Research in the Arnold group focuses on evolutionary protein design methods (1,2) and using the results of laboratory evolution experiments to elucidate principles of biological design.
We generate novel and useful enzymes and organisms for applications in medicine, neurobiology, chemical synthesis and alternative energy. We also construct entire synthetic families of enzymes and other proteins in order to study structure-function relationships free from constraints of natural selection.
This research requires contributions from many disciplines, including chemistry, bioengineering, biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, chemical engineering, chemistry and applied physics.
Useful Links
2011 National Medal of Technology & Innovation, Frances Arnold, February 1, 2013
Sex, Evolution, and Innovation: Frances H. Arnold TEDxUSC May, 2012
How would you explain synthetic biology to Darwin?