From Cancer to Hydrogen: Cell-free Biomolecular and Bioprocess Engineering

Normally, the design and production of cancer therapeutics would seem to have little in common with large-scale hydrogen production.  Yet, the amazing capabilities of biological systems provide the components and principles for both pursuits.  In particular, cell-free methods allow us to manipulate and harness even very complex biological reaction systems.  In this presentation, I will describe progress toward: a) new cancer diagnostics and novel cancer vaccines, b) a potent and broadly protective influenza vaccine, and c) a potential highly productive process for sustainable hydrogen production from cellulosic biomass.  Even though the applications are highly diverse, they can all be addressed by the power of fundamental biochemical engineering.