Cellular growth concordance: membrane-lipid axis, cellulose-vesicular transport, and genome physical karyotypes
All compartments in the cell are connected; all living organisms solve the life problems, some with common and some with different resolutions. The understandings of biological processes are enlightened with observations in challenge-response, mutant-phenotypes, and evolutionary understandings. Looking at biological problems from different angles will give the deeper and wider knowledge needed in the post-omics era.
The three interrelated areas of dinoflagellate biology, cellulose deposition-vesicular transport, membrane-lipid, and genome physical karyotypes, will cumulate to make a difference in basic biology, as well as strategic in our exploitation of this ecologically profound group. We are entering an exciting era, with sequencing technology and transgenic technology unleashing the genome secrets of dinoflagellates, which will posit the group in the forefronts of biotechnology and synthetic biology. We also isolated a series of novel species and strains, including some with the lowest genome size reported.
We employ several research models, including bacterial, yeast, plant,, and dinoflagellate cells in our research. The permanent nuclear envelope, and the availability of genome cycle synchronization, in addition to large cell size (the nucleus being larger than a yeast cell) . Being a key microplankton group, the major harmful algal bloom agents, and the zooxanthellae that was deceased in coral bleaching, the dinoflagellates have made their footprints on Earth. The group have some of the largest reported repertoires of bioactive compounds, with some of the highest reported Greenhouse negative DMS/DMSP, and have well established industrial scale fermentation technology for omega-3 DHA production.
Potential students or postdoctoral researchers are encouraged to apply directly to Prof. Joseph Wong Biosketch; or through the university system specifying your interests. superficial emails without will not be replied.