TRAINING AREAS
The training program is divided into six areas of emphasis based upon the expertise of the trainers as well as the areas that we consider as critical to the future generation of scientists and engineers in biotechnology. These areas are used as a framework to organize workshops and focus areas for seminars.
(1) Structural Biology and Biomolecular Engineering
Trainers: Bates, Brooker (coordinator), Distefano, Kazlauskas, Kiehl, Kokkoli, McCormick, Musier-Forsyth, Schmidt-Dannert, Tranquillo
The research emphasis of this group is aimed at understanding
the structural details of molecules and macromolecules and their
interactions with synthetic materials. This type of work can lead
to biotechnological applications in areas such as rational protein
design, for novel specificity and functions, and engineering of
novel biocomposite materials.
(2) Bioreaction Engineering
Trainers: Arriaga, Dean, Daoutidis (coordinator), Flickinger, Hu, Kazlauskas, Maynard, Sadowsky, Schmidt-Dannert, Srienc, Wackett
The expertise encompasses metabolic and genetic reaction networks and population dynamics. The research topics range from engineering novel biochemical pathways, alternating regulatory structures, constructing new microbial communities, and developing new environmental technologies.
(3) Bioinformatic Science and Engineering
Trainers: Arriaga, Distefano, Ellis, Hu, Kapur, Karypis, Kaznessis (coordinator), Kumar
This subgroup of trainers is formed to address a critical area
in biotechnology, the development and utilization of new Bioinformatic
tools for mining data generated using genomic and proteomic technologies.
(4) Genomic Science and Microbial Ecology
Trainers: Berman, Ellis, Hu, Kahn, Kapur, Karypis, Kazlauskas, Khodursky (coordinator), Maynard, McIvor, Phillips, Retzel, Sadowsky, Schmidt-Dannert, Schottel, Wackett
A diverse expertise exists in molecular biology and genomic technologies.
The genomic work by this group encompasses eubacteria, yeast and
fungi, plants and animals. The research ranges from genomic and
EST sequencing to database design and physiological reaction modeling.
Studies are pertinent in the areas of drug development and the
biodegradation of pollutants.
(5) Complex Biological Systems
Trainers: Berman, Daoutidis (coordinator), O'Connor, Othmer, Phillips, Somers, Srienc, Tranquillo, Verfaillie, Sadowsky
A primary interest of this group is an understanding of processes
that affect the biology of whole organisms or systems with organisms.
These trainers are engaged in research projects related to the
development of corn, carrots, legumes, C. elegans, or vertebrates.
Work is also in progress to harness the advances in developmental
biology for crop improvement, micropropagation, and engineering
tissues including blood vessels and liver.
(6) Systems Engineering in Biology
Trainers: Brooker, Daoutidis, Dunny, Hu, Kapur, Karypis, Khodursky, Lipscomb, Musier-Forsyth, Othmer, Schmidt-Dannert, Schottel, Sadowsky (coordinator), Srienc, Tranquillo, Wackett
This group of trainers conducts research and training on systems
approach to biology. We have an unusually large pool of expertise
in this critical area of research and training for biotechnology.
The work encompasses the genetic regulatory network at the single
cell level, the interactions of pure and mixed populations with
the environment, data mining, and mathematical modeling and competition.
