Pfeifer Lab
The Pfeifer Lab part of the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering in the School of Engineering at Tufts University in Medford, MA.
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor Blaine A. Pfeifer
1997 B.S. Chemical Engineering, Colorado State University
2002 Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Stanford University
Thesis Advisor: Chaitan Khosla (Wells H. Rauser & Harold M. Petiprin Professor in the School of Engineering and Professor of Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, & Biochemistry)
2003 American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship
Advisor: Robert S. Langer (Institute Professor) (Langer 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
- 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
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.
Group Members
Postdoctoral Scholars:
Wang Yong (2005-present)
Graduate Students:
Janelle Lavoie (2004-present)
Guangquan Shi (2004-present)
Haoran Zhang (2005-present)
Undergraduate Students:
Brett Boghigian (2005-present)
