Keynote Speakers
Feng Zhang
Professor in Neurobiology and Engineering
Departments of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and of Biological Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Dr. Zhang is one of the pioneers in the development of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology in eukaryotic cells. Dr.Zhang's laboratory is focused on using synthetic biology to develop technologies for genome and epigenome engineering that can be developed into novel molecular tools and technologies to study and treat human diseases. . Currently, Zhang’s laboratory is centered in establishing novel biological systems necessary for Cas9 to function effectively in mammalian cells which are dispensable in biochemical assays.
Poul Nissen
Professor in Protein Biochemistry
Aarhus University
The Nissen group investigates molecular mechanisms of membrane transport processes, receptors, and biomembrane ultrastructure. Activities are mainly focused on cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM), protein crystallography, biochemistry, electrophysiology, and include also small-angle X-ray scattering and cryo-electron tomography. Main subjects of research concern membrane transporters and receptors involved with neurological and psychiatric disorders, i.e. P-type ATPase (Na,K-ATPase, Ca-ATPases, lipid flippases, P5-ATPases), Na+ dependent neurotransmitter and chloride transporters, and insulin receptor signaling.
Jens Nielsen
CEO at BioInnovation Institute
Professor of Systems Biology
Chalmers University of Technology
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Jens Nielsen is a Professor of Systems Biology at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden. He is also Chief Science Officer at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability at the Technical University of Denmark and CEO of BII (Bio Innovation Institute, DK). He is considered one of the leaders in the field of metabolic engineering, and he is the founding president of the International Metabolic Engineering Society. He is an internationally respected scientist and entrepreneur who has published more than 700 scientific articles that have been cited more than 60,000 times. He has received numerous awards, including the Novozymes Prize, the ENI Prize, the Eric and Sheila Samson Prime Ministers Prize for Innovation in Alternative Fuels for Transportation among others.
