The Synthetic Biology lab is divided into a DNA synthesis production group and a synthetic biology applications group.
The DNA synthesis and assembly group
Our Production group operates as user facility that aims to provide access to state-of-the-art DNA synthesis and assembly technologies to the broader community. We focus our efforts on integrating Database mining and Synthesis Design with scaling the production of large, difficult to synthesize constructs such as those involving biosynthetic clusters, or high complexity combinatorial libraries. We have developed and continue to improve automated assembly pipelines bringing in new technologies such as acoustic deposition and the Ranger technology. We also develop methods for efficient QA/QC based on next-generation sequencing technologies including PacBio and Illumina MiSeq. For details on how to submit DNA synthesis proposals, follow the link to JGI’s DNA synthesis CSP calls.
DNA synthesis and assembly workflow
The synthetic biology application group
The applications group is focus on developing methods for converting digital information from sequence databases into biotechnological or environmental applications. We are interested in: (i) characterizing novel enzymatic activities using phylogenomic driven approaches, and (ii) understanding the design principles for successfully engineering pathways to function in heterologous hosts, by combining combinatorial synthesis, high-throughput screening methodologies, and statistical frameworks for inferring genotype to phenotype associations.
Group Members
DNA synthesis production
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| Matthew Hamilton | Dave Robinson | Robert Evans |