LAB FOCUS
Synthetic Biology, Protein Engineering, Gene and Drug Delivery, and Cancer Therapy
Proteins are the most versatile among the various biological building blocks. However, the strength of proteins – their versatility and specific interactions – also complicates and hinders their systematic design and engineering. Our lab has been interested in exploiting the modular nature of protein domains to design synthetic complexes that can perform new biological functions across different length scales. By adding logical and stimuli responsive components into the design, smart protein complexes can be created to sense and adapt to the constantly changing cellular environments. Research in our laboratory is focused on the development of new synthetic biology tools in connecting exchangeable protein domains into functional devices for dynamic modulation of cellular phenotypes, biocatalysis, biosensing, and new cancer therapeutics.
Wilfred Chen
Gore Professor of Chemical Engineering
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
224 Colburn Lab, University of Delaware, Newark DE 19716
Phone: 302.831.6327
Fax: 302.831.1048
Email: wilfred@udel.edu
CV: PDF
Selected Honors
Michael M. Abbott Lectureship, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2019
Food, Pharmaceutical & Bioengineering Division Award, AICHE, 2018
Marvin J. Johnson Award in Microbial & Biochemical Technology, ACS, 2017
Daniel I.C. Wang Award for Excellence in Biochemical Engineering, AICHE/SBE, 2015
Biotechnology Progress Award for Excellence in Biological Engineering Publication, AICHE/SBE, 2012