SpeakerTae Seok Moon

TitleSystems and synthetic biology: constructing programmable cells

AbstractThe past decade has witnessed the tremendous power of systems and synthetic biology in the creation of genetic parts, devices, and systems, which helps understand complex biological systems. However, its potential for real-world applications has not been fully exploited. One of its promising applications is the construction of programmable cells that are able to integrate multiple environmental signals and to implement synthetic control over biological processes. My research interests are focused on developing microbes that are able to process multiple input signals and to generate user-defined outputs. Specifically, I aim to build genetic programs in order to control various bacterial processes such as gene expression, chemical reactions, and evolution. I will present examples of my research projects to discuss the potential and challenges of systems and synthetic biology for practical applications.

BioTae Seok Moon (Assistant Professor, Washington University in St. Louis) has 20 years of research experience in chemistry, metabolic engineering, systems biology, and synthetic biology, including 5.5 years of industry experience. During his career in the biotechnology industry, his chemical derivatization technology led to synthesis of novel biopolymers and four patent applications. As a manager of a multi-team project, he coordinated pre-clinical studies and helped to launch four products, including biopolymers for osteoarthritis treatment and ophthalmic surgery, injectable fillers for wrinkle correction, and biodegradable materials for drug delivery. For commercialization, he also participated in bioprocess scale-up, construction and operation of commercial-scale bioreactors and downstream facilities, and submission of a Drug Master File to the US FDA. During his academic training at MIT and UCSF, he has built up expertise in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. His research focus at Washington University (2012-17) is understanding of gene regulation, evolution, and metabolism, as well as design and construction of synthetic RNA regulators, environmental sensors, and complex genetic circuits. His projects include engineering probiotic bacteria for programmed parasite killing (Gates Foundation) or neurotransmitter control (ONR); understanding biological robustness by building genetic sensors and complex circuits from the bottom-up (NSF); determining the design principles to establish nitrogen fixing ability in an oxygenic photosynthetic organism by using transcriptomics and refactoring approaches (NSF); systems engineering of Rhodococcus opacus to enable production of fuels and chemicals from lignocellulose (DOE); and establishing a generalizable model for predictable RNA regulator design (NSF). Several awards include an NSF CAREER award, an ONR Young Investigator Award, a John C. Sluder Fellowship (MIT), an ILJU Foundation Award, an LG Chemical Fellowship, and the SNU President Prize.