Codruta Ignea
Assistant Professor
Department of Bioengineering
- Synthetic Biology
- Metabolic Engineering
- Engineering of Biological Membranes
- Next generation of Synthetic Biosystems
- Biotechnological production of high-value compounds
- Biosynthesis and Chemical Diversity of Specialized Metabolites
Research Interests:
Engineer simple organisms, such as yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, for production of high-value compounds (e.g. pharmaceuticals) by reconstructing the corresponding biosynthetic pathways in dedicated microbial chassis. Design and engineer synthetic biosystems for the sustainable production of biologics and chemicals by bio-mimicking the environment of producer organisms to improve bioprocess performance (e.g. humanized yeast). Discover new enzymatic activities and unravel metabolic complexes to fully understand biosynthesis of target molecule with potent biological activities (e.g. anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetics). Expand Nature鈥檚 chemical diversity by reprogramming biosynthesis of natural compounds for specific needs (e.g. drug discovery) and engineer production of new-to-nature molecule, some of which with new or improved bioactivities.