Bio-X Graduate Student Fellow

Awarded in 2009
Home Department: Bioengineering
Faculty Advisor: Christina Smolke (Bioengineering)

Research Title: A generalizable synthetic genetic system for dynamic control in metabolic engineering

Research Description: Yen-Hsiang is interested in controlling cells with synthetic RNAs. These synthetic RNA controllers are capable of fine-tuning genes and pathways, which gives scientists greater control over intricate cellular networks. He is building an operational amplifier (op-amp), which is a fundamental building block in most electrical circuits like computers. An op-amp is generally composed of three stages – differential stage, amplification stage, and output stage – each of which has its own key functional features. He is currently working on the first stage: a RNA sensor that is able to detect the difference between two inputs using antisense.

WHERE IS HE NOW?

Yen-Hsiang is the VP of Strategy & Partnerships at Antheia.