Our Mission



The Synthetic and Systems Biology Innovation Hub (SSBiH) serves as a major center to lead and enable interdisciplinary research in campus. In 2016, the Synthetic and Systems Biology Innovation Hub was funded by Texas A&M University RDF (Research and Development Funds) and was tasked as an ‘intellectual core’ for systems and synthetic biology research in the Texas A&M University System.

  • With a strong track record, we aim to advance cutting-edge synthetic biology, systems biolology, and biomanufacturing initiatives for health, energy, and environmental applications.
  • The Synthetic and Systems Biology Innovation Hub elevates scientific excellence across the colleges and enables frontier faculty research through seed grants, industry partnerships, interdisciplinary collaborations, and service with cutting-edge platforms.
  • The Hub integrates interdisciplinary expertise from faculty members to compete for major federal, state, and corporate research initiatives.
  • The Hub serves as a campus resource center for synthetic and systems biology research and engages two state agencies and four colleges to advance cutting-edge research and major program development.
  • The Hub engages industrial partners for collaborations and technology commercialization.




Our Platform



The Synthetic and Systems Biology Hub integrates a biodesign core, a high-throughput screening core, an implementation core, and a characterization and scale-up core. The four core functions were built with state-of-the-art instruments and extensive expertise. The instruments include colony picker, BioLector Pro high-throughput fermenter, Imaging system, HPLC, nanoLC-MS/MS, larger fermenters, and others. The platforms integrate to achieve biodesign, high-throughput screening, high-throughput fermentation, proteomics, systems biology analysis, and scale-up of biomanufacturing and fermentation capacity.




People

Director

Susie Y. Dai
Associate Professor and Director
Synthetic and Systems Biology Innovation Hub
Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
Texas A&M University


Staff

Jorge Arreola
Project Manager
Synthetic and Systems Biology Innovation Hub
Texas A&M University

Brian Neal
Project Specialist
Synthetic and Systems Biology Innovation Hub
Texas A&M University

Jiali Yu
Bioinformatician
Synthetic and Systems Biology Innovation Hub
Texas A&M University

Jinru Lai
Technician
Synthetic and Systems Biology Innovation Hub
Texas A&M University



Research Associates

Kainan Chen
Graduate Research Associate for Proteomics and Synthetic Biology

Xiaohan Li
Graduate Research Associate for Metabolomics

Bin Long
Graduate Research Associate for Synthetic Biology and Omics Platforms

Student Interns

Christopher Bakker
Chemical Engineering
Texas A&M University

Matthew Hoffman
Professional Master in Biotechnology
Texas A&M University

Bill Nelson
Bioenvironmental Sciences
Texas A&M University

Bert White
Bioenvironmental Sciences
Texas A&M University

Daochen Yang
Civil Engineering
Texas A&M University

Joceline Rios-Lovo
Chemistry
Texas A&M University

Faculty Affiliates

The example faculty and researchers can be found in the below panel. The complete list of faculty can be found at the Texas A&M University RDF website.





Openings

Postdoc positions are available at the Synthetic and Systems Biology Innovation Hub, at Joshua Yuan’s lab, and at Susie Dai’s lab in Texas A&M University. We are specifically looking for several areas of expertise. First, we are looking for a candidate with machine learning modeling and omics data handling experience. He or she will be involved in proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics and other large-scale dataset analysis and modeling, along with novel pathway, organelle and system design to achieve new biological functions. Broad collaboration opportunities exist. If interested, the modeling work can go beyond biological systems into chemical processes and material design. Second, we are looking for a candidate with plant systems and synthetic biology expertise. Plant genetic engineering and metabolic design experience is desired. Proteomics and metabolomics expertise is appreciated, but not required, as relevant training can be provided to equip the postdoc with the expertise. Third, we are looking for a candidate with expertise in green chemistry. In particular, we are seeking a candidate to develop new catalytic processes, including eletro-catalytic and electro-photo-catalytic processes to integrate with biological systems to achieve efficient CO2 and biomass utilization, carbon and nitrogen fixation, persistent environmental contaminant and toxin degradation, and valued product manufacturing. He or she could also integrate and build the new biological and non-biological hybrid systems using nanomaterials and quantum mechanisms. For all areas, multidisciplinary expertise is appreciated. In addition, the general lab environment is collaborative, friendly, and constructive. We are seeking highly motivated and productive scientists with suitable backgrounds as aforementioned. The laboratory nurtures a collaborative environment with ample opportunities for grant writing, professional training, and career development routes. The laboratory is highly multidisciplinary and scientific integrated. Salary is commensurate with experience, and full-scale state employee benefits will be provided. College Station is a great place to live, offering a small-town environment nearby several major cities. If you are interested in such a position, please don’t hesitate to contact Joshua Yuan, Professor and Chair of Synthetic Biology and Renewable Products, at syuan@tamu.edu or Dr. Susie Dai, Associate Professor, at sydai@tamu.edu.





Current Research

Synthetic biology refers to the integration of molecular tools, engineering principles, and mathematical modeling to engineer organisms toward previously unattainable functions. Even though synthetic biology is still in its infancy, it has already brought breakthroughs in therapeutics, energy production, environmental remediation, and crop improvement. SSBiH uniquely positions us in participating the on-going major advanced manufacturing fundings and synergizing with other research programs in campus to build a holistic and competitive bioproduct, biorefining, bio- and advanced manufacturing program. The unit is built upon excellent record on scientific publication, federal funding, and technology commercialization.


The following figure shows a few examples of synthetic biology technologies developed and patented at the Hub to empower biomanufacturing.





Seed Grants


With support from Texas A&M AgriLife Research, we are releasing the Proteomics Seed Grant RFA to promote cutting-edge research using shot-gun proteomics capacity at Systems and Synthetic Biology Innovation Hub. We have established MudPIT-based shot gun proteomics, which can be broadly used to study biological and biomedical questions.


The goal of this RFA is to provide preliminary proteomics data for AgriLife Scientists to compete for future federal and other grants.


Download detailed information on the program and proposal form


Should you have any questions, feel free to contact me at syuan@tamu.edu.





Partners

Synthetic and Systems Biology Innovation Hub builds broad partnership to advance cutting-edge research, new funding sources, industrial and national lab collaborations, and technology commercialization.


Industrial Partners






National Lab Partners




Private Donation and Funds


Hood Fund

Sustainability


University Partners







Contact Us

For major grants and research collaboration, please contact Susie Y. Dai at sydai@tamu.edu or at (979) 458-6362.

For seed grants and project management, please contact Jorge Arreola at jorge.arreolav@tamu.edu or at (979) 862-4801.

For all other things, please contact Jingru Lai at jrl63@tamu.edu or at (979) 845-6367.