Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of California, Berkeley
Head of Amyris Scientific Advisory Board

Professor Keasling is a founder of Amyris and serves as the head of the Scientific Advisory Board. The research in the Keasling Laboratory focuses on the metabolic engineering of microorganisms for degradation of environmental contaminants or for environmentally friendly synthesis. To that end, the Keasling lab 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, and degradation of chlorinated and aromatic hydrocarbons, biodesulfurization of fossil fuels, complete mineralization of organophosphate nerve agents and pesticides, and production of supply limited drugs. Professor Keasling brings to Amyris a deep understanding of both synthetic biology and the downstream chemical engineering required to utilize the engineered organisms.
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Dick and Barbara Dickinson Professor of Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry, California Institute of Technology

Research in the Arnold group focuses on evolutionary design methods applied to biological systems - enzymes, metabolic pathways, genetic circuits and ecosystems - and using the results of laboratory evolution experiments to elucidate principles of biological design. The Arnold lab develops technology for laboratory evolution, including methods for making and characterizing gene libraries, high throughput screening, and hybrid computational-evolutionary optimization strategies. Professor Arnold's Lab uses these tools to generate enzymes, biosynthetic pathways, circuits for controlling gene expression and intercellular signal capabilities. Professor Arnold brings to Amyris a strong understanding of enzyme design and how semi-rational protein design can drive enzyme engineering.
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Professor of Biochemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Professor Blanch is a leading researcher and educator in biochemical engineering. He has published more than 230 original research articles covering a wide range of topics in the production of pharmaceuticals, biomacromolecules, biomaterials; he has also contributed to the solution of waste problems and to improved fermentation (and other) processes of particular interest in agriculture and nutrition. Professor Blanch has been at the Chemical Engineering department at U.C. Berkeley since 1978 where he was the chair from 1997 through 2000. Professor Blanch is an elected Fellow of the International Institute of Biotechnology, a Founding Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Professor Blanch brings to Amyris expertise in bioprocess engineering.
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Assistant Professor, Biotechnology Laboratory and Departments of Forest Science and Botany, University of British Columbia

Professor Bohlmann is an expert in plant biotechnology and more specifically in plant terpene synthases. Using Arabidopsis as a genetically tractable species, Professor Bohlmann's lab is characterizing a large terpene synthase gene family through a functional genomics approach. Professor Bohlmann will aid Amyris in the expression of Terpene synthase and downstream processing genes needed for the production of isoprenoid pharmaceuticals.
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Professor of Oceanography, Director of the Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego

Professor Fenical's research, which has led to more than 300 publications, has focused upon the novel chemicals found in marine life, and how these substances might be applied in medical research which led him to co-found Nereus Pharmaceuticals. Professor Fenical provides Amyris with a guide to the burgeoning field of marine terpenes.
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Dean of the College of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley

Professor Heathcock received his B.Sc. in chemistry from Abilene Christian College in 1958. After two years in industry (Supervisor of the Chemical Tests Group at the Champion Paper & Fibre Company in Pasadena, Texas), he entered graduate school at the University of Colorado and received his Ph.D. in 1963. His graduate work dealt with the synthesis of steroidal heterocycles. In 1965, Professor Heathcock joined the faculty of the University of California at Berkeley as Assistant Professor. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences. He has served the chemistry community as Chairman of the Division of Organic Chemistry of the American Chemical Society, Editor of Organic Syntheses, and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Organic Chemistry. Professor Heathcock's background in terrestrial terpene synthesis and vast experience in natural product synthesis will provide Amyris with invaluable insights as to how our technology will enable the production of terpenes and other biomolecules.
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Canada Research Chair in Microbial Genomics and Engineering, Assistant Professor, Biology Department, Concordia University, Canada

Professor Martin is a founder of Amyris and an expert in the field of microbial biosynthesis and biotransformation of terpenes. His research led the development of the isoprenoid over-producing microbial strain currently under development at Amyris. Professor Martin brings to Amyris many years of experience in microbial genetics, metabolism and the production of small molecules. These skills will be central to the development of Amyris’ next generation of microbial biocatalysts.