About Us
Microbial Resources group specializes in screening, identifying and exploiting microbes with potential use in bioenergy production.
We focus on the projects of stress tolerance mechanism of yeast, mechanism of butanol formation in Clostridia and metabolic pathways of algae lipid synthesis and the key enzymes of lipid accumulation.
Team focus on anaerobic bacteria research
Team leader: CHEN Xiaohua
They isolate the thermophilic anaerobic bacteria and identify the differential cellulase that expressed under different carbon source. They also use solventogenic clostridia to produce butanol from corncob residues.
Team focus on yeast research
Team leader: WANG Shi-an
They use Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations as model organisms to study the genetic base of adaptation to environmental stress. In previous study, significant genetic variations and differences in stress-tolerance phenotypes were revealed among different S.cerevisiae ecological populations. They are using genetics techniques to understand the correlations between the genetic and stress-phenotypic variations. The ultimate goal is to identify a series of targeting genes for industrial engineering while expanding the understanding of natural diversity.
Team focus on microalgae research
Team leader: HU Guangrong
They screen and identify oil-producing microalgae. They use Flow Cytometer for high throughput screening of the mutagenesis algae. Dr. Hu uses genetics techniques to reveal the metabolic pathways of algae lipid synthesis and the key enzymes of lipid accumulation. They also aim to establish a processing system for algae waste become resource and harmlessness.