User:GMcArthurIV: Difference between revisions

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==Research Interests==
==Research Interests==
My research is centered around two areas, cellular engineering and process engineering.  I am particularly interested in developing an industrial-scale biofuel production process. In addition, I hope to contribute to the advancement of foundational synthetic-biology technology and education, especially at the undergraduate level.
My research is centered around two areas, cellular engineering and process engineering.  I am currently working on modifying metabolism in microalgae for the production of valuable chemicals including fuels and drugs. In addition, I hope to contribute to the advancement of foundational synthetic-biology technology and education.
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===Microbial Cellular Engineering===
The conversion of lignocellulosic raw materials to molecules suitable for liquid transportation fuel can be acheived via microbial metabolism.  However, this does not usually occur naturally in a single microorganism nor does it occur efficiently.  Therefore, novel metabolism must be developed to realize the desired chemical transformation.  [http://syntheticbiology.org/ Synthetic biology] (specifically, synthetic genomics) offers an approach to truly engineering metabolic, regulatory and signaling pathways by providing well-characterized genetic modules (e.g., like those found in the [http://bioparts.org Registry of Standard Biological Parts]) that can be interchanged and composed into larger, more complex systems.  Eventually, whole-cell systems may be engineered to function or behave in a predicted manner (e.g., economically viable production of fuel from inexpensive biomass).
===Biochemical Process Engineering===
Although engineered microorganisms may synthesize the desired product or products, separation processes are necessary for purification.  In addition, the bioreactor in which the microbes are grown must be optimized for the particular process and the substrate must be appropriately treated upstream of the bioreactor.  This work is focused on the development of an optimal bioreactor for the growth of the platform organism and the production of the desired product.  In addition, a novel extraction system is being developed for the facile separation of product from culture broth.
===Synthetic Biology Education===
I am the founder of the [http://www.seas.virginia.edu/VGEM Virginia Genetically Engineered Machine Team], a synthetic biology research group of undergraduate students at the University of Virginia, which competes in MIT's [http://www.igem.org international Genetically Engineered Machines competition].  In 2007, I directed the [http://parts.mit.edu/igem07/index.php/Virginia inaugural VGEM Team].  I served as an advisor to the [http://2008.igem.org/Team:Virginia 2008 VGEM Team] and directed the first [[CHE.496/2008| introductory synthetic biology course at UVA]], which I created as part of my undergraduate thesis.  Hopefully, I'll be able to establish a similar team here at VCU.
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==Presentations==
==Presentations==
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===Virginia Commonwealth University===
===Virginia Commonwealth University===
*Ph.D., Chemical and Life Science Engineering
*Ph.D., Chemical and Life Science Engineering
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===University of Virginia (2008)===
===University of Virginia (2008)===
*B.S., Chemical Engineering (Biotechnology Concentration}
*B.S., Chemical Engineering (Biotechnology Concentration}

Revision as of 11:04, 2 January 2009

George H. McArthur IV, Ph.D. student, Virginia Commonwealth University


George McArthur IV


Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.. –Albert Einstein


Welcome! I'm a first-year grad student at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA and a member of Dr. Stephen Fong's Systems Biological Engineering Laboratory in the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering. Please feel free to email me.

Research Interests

My research is centered around two areas, cellular engineering and process engineering. I am currently working on modifying metabolism in microalgae for the production of valuable chemicals including fuels and drugs. In addition, I hope to contribute to the advancement of foundational synthetic-biology technology and education.

Presentations


Education

Virginia Commonwealth University

  • Ph.D., Chemical and Life Science Engineering

University of Virginia (2008)

  • B.S., Chemical Engineering (Biotechnology Concentration}
  • B.A., Music (Composition Concentration)
  • Minor in Biology
  • Undergraduate Thesis Portfolio
    • The Development of a First Course in the Fundamentals of Synthetic Biology at the University of Virginia
    • The VGEM Team: A Model for Enhancing Engineering Education
    • A Regulatory Framework for the Constructive Development of Synthetic Biology


Links

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