(264a) Invited Talk: Metabolic Flux, Control, and Engineering in Medicine and Biotechnology

Metabolite concentrations and fluxes are the fundamental descriptors of metabolic state. The former provides kinetic and thermodynamic insights into metabolism, and the latter provides actionable information for engineering metabolism. The advancement of analytical tools such as mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has enabled comprehensive and sensitive quantitation of metabolites. However, a gap remains between metabolite measurement and rational engineering of metabolism. My lab aims to bridge the gap. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), stable isotope tracing, and mathematical modeling, we quantitatively map metabolism, learn regulatory mechanisms, and design engineering strategies. In this talk, I will highlight our recent investigation into metabolism in the context of evolution, immunotherapy, and CO₂ upcycling.