Nikolau Research Group

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Contact us at
nikolau.research@iastate.edu

The Nikolau Research Group

Research in the Nikolau Group is focused on the comprehensive understanding of metabolism. The lab is particularly focused on the discovery and characterization of novel metabolic processes, and the associated biocatalysts, utilizing expanding genomics resources as the starting point for these endeavors.

The past decade has seen an explosion of genomics datasets, which have revolutionized the way biological systems are defined. Yet the majority of the gene sequences that are deposited at databases are ambiguously annotated relative to biochemical functionality.  These gaps in knowledge therefore offer opportunities for novel discoveries that can be used to generate innovative metabolic solutions to societally defined issues.

These research activities are providing opportunities for research-based education and training of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as post-doctoral researchers.

News & Updates

Visiting faculty
June 6, 2013
Dr. Tyrell Carr has joined the Nikolau group for the summer as a visiting faculty research intern. While here, he will work with other group members on the hycrocarbons project, which is investigating how maize plants coat their surfaces with cuticle lipids. Carr, who is an assistant professor in the department of biology and physical sciences at Chowan University in Murfreesboro, NC, earned his MS and PhD in interdepatmental genetics at Iowa State.

Postdoc accepts faculty position
June 4, 2013
Effective July 1, Huanan Jin will begin his new position as associate professor at Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan, China. Jin has held a postdoc position with the Nikolau research group since completing his PhD in May 2010. As professor, Jin will teach and conduct research on soybean oil biosynthesis and secondary metabolism. Congratulations, Professor Jin!

Grad student launches biorenewables business
May 20, 2013
Congratulations and all best wishes to Shivani Garg, PhD student in the Nikolau research group, on launching her new business, OmegaChea Biorenewables LLC. Read all about it here.

News & Updates Archive