Pfeifer Lab

Research Interests, Areas, or Ongoing Projects:

Our group takes a molecular and process engineering approach to generating therapeutic natural products. Our work is multidisciplinary with molecular biology, microbiology, analytical chemistry, and bacterial genetics supporting the development of microbial bio-processes and products. The particular compounds and processes we strive to produce target diseases that include cancer, bacterial infections, and diabetes.

The common research theme in our lab is to find more efficient and economical ways to generate biological products. The approach is to transplant the genetic material responsible for an important therapeutic product into a convenient and process-friendly bacterial microorganism (such as Escherichia coli) for eventual product scale-up and development.

Current projects include:

• The cellular and metabolic optimization for the production of the antibiotic erythromycin. Here, we are interested in optimizing the cellular biosynthetic process leading to large-scale process optimization.
• The production of new and established anticancer agents. This research aim seeks to generate potent anticancer agents through recombinant DNA technology. One particular agent of interest includes the anticancer agent ansamitocin.

Research Philosophy:

In conclusion, our research program emphasizes new and multiple disciplines to augment a traditional engineering education and embrace both chemical and biological engineering. Coupled with a group infrastructure that emphasizes commitment, teamwork, organization, creativity, and independence, our goal is to equip the student with the technical know-how and intellectual preparation to conduct and lead research.