Directed Evolution, Synthetic Biology, Protein Engineering, Biocatalysis, Biofuels
Research in the Arnold group focuses on evolutionary design methods (1,2) applied to biological systems (enzymes, metabolic pathways, genetic circuits and ecosystems) and using the results of laboratory evolution experiments to elucidate principles of biological design.
We are using methods of laboratory evolution to generate novel and useful enzymes and organisms for applications in medicine and in alternative energy. We construct entire synthetic families of enzymes in order to study structure-function relationships free from constraints of natural selection.
We also construct new biosynthetic pathways and circuits for controlling gene expression and intercellular signaling capabilities. Our goal is to develop design principles for engineering complex biological systems and to use the results of laboratory evolution experiments to elucidate why nature's designs work the way they do.
This research requires contributions from many disciplines, including chemistry, bioengineering biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, chemical engineering, chemistry and applied physics.
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Sex, Evolution, and Innovation
How would you explain synthetic biology to Darwin?