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Dr. Jay Keasling, a Professor of Chemical Engineering and Founding Director of the Synthetic Biology Department at UC-Berkeley, is a recognized leader in engineering of metabolic pathways in cells. His research focuses on the metabolic engineering of microorganisms for degradation of environmental contaminants or for environmentally friendly synthesis. To that end, he has developed a number of new genetic and mathematical tools to allow more precise and reproducible control of metabolism. These tools are being used in such applications as synthesis of biodegradable polymers, accumulation of phosphate and heavy metals, and degradation of chlorinated and aromatic hydrocarbons, biodesulfurization of fossil fuels, and complete mineralization of organophosphate nerve agents and pesticides. Dr. Keasling holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from University of Michigan. | 