Early Career Researchers Meet, Greet & Talks

Join our bi-monthly meets to meet fellow Early Career Researchers from across the University interested in biology, engineering, design, computer science, bioethics and more. This is a great opportunity to meet ECRs from other schools and departments, share knowledge and ideas, establish connections and collaborations and find out more about EngBio activities such as funding calls and support.

Each session will host 1-2 lightning talks from ECRs covering research, tools & technologies, and fields & applications of synthetic and engineering biology. This will be followed by informal discussion (and free light lunch).

On Monday 12 October we are welcoming 2 talks:

Protein Reconfiguration through Splitting

Jaifu Tan, Dept. of Plant Sciences

I am a postdoc in the Department of Plant Sciences, with a primary interest in plant biotechnology and bioengineering. My current research focuses on engineering enzymes involved in plant pigment biosynthesis and developing strategies to repurpose and reconfigure plant pigments and their associated enzymes for novel biological applications.

Targeted engineering of nitrate-responsive gene circuits in plant roots

Zhengao Di, Dept. of Plant Sciences

I am a research associate in the Patron lab at the Department of Plant Sciences, where I study how different cell types in the plant roots respond to low nitrogen (N) availability using scRNAseq, and use this knowledge to guide the engineering of cell-type specific N responses. Nitrogen is a critical nutrient for plant growth and yield. While external N has facilitated modern agriculture, over-application of N-containing fertilisers has drastic ecological and environmental consequences. In this talk, I will discuss approaches we are taking to allow precision engineering of gene regulatory networks controlling nitrate response, uptake and use efficiency in plant roots.

Venue: Postdoc Centre, 16 Mill Lane  

Date: Monday 12 October, 12pm-1pm with light lunch

Read more about the EngBio ECRs

Contact

For questions of queries, please contact Vicky Reid at coordinator@engbio.cam.ac.uk.