C1 - Cx Synthetic Biology

The regulation mechanisms and re-design of C1-Cx carbon metabolism network are the core scientific questions of this research. C1-Cx metabolism governs the most basic bioreactions for material and energy transformations and is nested in a complex network.  We aim at a system-level understanding and re-design of it through quantification and modeling, and develop next-generation bioprocesses for synthesizing basic chemicals, amino acids, and future food (proteins) based on air (CO₂, N₂ ), water, and regenerative energy (light and electricity), contributing thus to carbon neutrality.

C1-Cx metabolism is also involved in many diseases, such as cancer and neurodegeneration. The quantitative and system-level study of C1-Cx metabolism is expected to provide new targets for their diagnosis and cure.

Selected literature
1. H. Zhang, Y. Li, J. Nie, J. Ren, AP Zeng (2020) Structure-based dynamic analyses of the glycine cleavage system suggests key residues for control of a key reaction step. Communications Biology. 3 (1), 1-12.
2. J Ren, W Wang, J Nie, W Yuan, AP Zeng (2022) Understanding and engineering glycine cleavage system and related metabolic pathways for C1-based biosynthesis. Adv. Biochem. Bioeng/Biotechnol., Springer.