Join us for a special synthetic biology lecture with Dr. Sang Yup Lee, Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Senior Vice President for Research at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

The contemporary world is facing the formidable challenges posed by the climate crisis and a globally aging population. These issues underscore the urgent need for sustainable solutions that also promote a healthier environment. In this context, microorganisms present a promising avenue for the eco-friendly production of a wide array of substances, including solvents, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and natural products. By harnessing these biological workhorses, we can make significant strides towards achieving sustainability and fostering a healthier planet. However, the efficiency of these microbial processes must be substantially enhanced to ensure their economic viability compared to traditional manufacturing methods. To address this challenge, systems metabolic engineering emerges as a pivotal approach to develop and optimize microbial cell factories. These engineered microorganisms are tailored to produce chemicals, fuels, materials, and natural products more efficiently and sustainably. In this lecture, Dr. Lee will delve into the strategies and tools of systems metabolic engineering and showcase the development of strains engineered for the production of a diverse range of chemicals, fuels, materials, and natural products. This discussion will highlight the transformative potential of systems metabolic engineering in advancing biotechnological applications and contributing to a sustainable and healthier world

Speaker Bio

Dr. Sang Yup Lee is Distinguished Professor at the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). He is currently Senior Vice President for Research at KAIST. He has published more than 740 journal papers, 90 books/book chapters, and more than 800 patents in the field of biotechnology. He is serving as co-Editor-in-Chief of Metabolic Engineering and AE/ED board member of numerous journals. He is an International Member of both the National Academy of Sciences USA and the National Academy of Engineering USA, as well as a Foreign Member of the Royal Society UK. He is also elected as a Foreign Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering. Additionally, he is elected member or fellow of Korean Academy of Science and Technology, National Academy of Engineering Korea, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Academy of Microbiology, American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, Society for Industrial Microbiology, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, World Academy of Sciences, and National Academy of Inventors USA. He is currently Vice President of the National Academy of Engineering Korea. He has served as a Co-Chair of Global Agenda Council on Emerging Technologies, Global Agenda Council on Biotechnology, and Global Future Council on Biotechnology at the World Economic Forum. He received Doctor Technices honoris causa from Technical University of Denmark, and is honorary professor of many universities around the world. He received numerous awards including National Order of Merit, National Science Medal, Ho Am Prize, POSCO TJ Park Prize, Korea Best Scientist and Technologist Award, the NAEK Award from the National Academy of Engineering of Korea, the National Academy of Sciences Award, Citation Classic Award, Elmer Gaden Award, Merck Metabolic Engineering Award, Amgen Biochemical Engineering Award, James Bailey Award, Marvin Johnson Award, George Washington Carver Award, Eni Award from Italian President, Samson Israel Prime Minister’s Award, and Novozymes Award, among others. He has been recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher by the Clarivate for seven consecutive years since 2017. He has served as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology from 2014-2017 and also 2022-present, and was the President of Korean Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineering in 2023.

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