Kou-San Ju
Contact Information
Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology
Areas of Expertise
- Bioinformatics
- Gene Expression
- Natural Product Discovery
- Microbial Metabolism
- Biocatalysis
Education
- PhD: University of California
Our research is inspired by the metabolic diversity of microorganisms and the vast array of compounds they produce. Working at the interface of chemistry and biology, we combine approaches in chemistry, biochemistry, bioinformatics, genetics, and systems biology to discover new natural products, identify bioactivity and mode of action, examine their chemical ecology, and to decipher the metabolic basis of their biosynthesis. Ultimately, we to seek translate insights gained from our investigations into solutions for modern day challenges facing human health and the environment. These include new antibiotics to counter drug-resistant pathogens, novel herbicides and biocontrol agents to improve pest management and food security, and engineered biocatalysts to facilitate chemical production by green chemistry and industrial biotechnology.