Omics &
Systems Biology

Advances in genome engineering have transformed our ability to understand and manipulate complex biological systems. Technologies such as CRISPR have enabled precise, scalable, and high-throughput interrogation of gene function, accelerating discoveries across biotechnology, medicine, and biomanufacturing. In industrial cell culture systems, genome engineering provides powerful opportunities to improve cellular productivity, product quality, and process robustness by uncovering the genetic mechanisms that govern cell growth, metabolism, and protein production. These capabilities are increasingly critical for developing next-generation manufacturing platforms that can meet the growing demand for complex biologic therapeutics.

Our laboratory develops CRISPR-based functional genomics and genome engineering platforms to advance mammalian cell engineering for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Current efforts leverage genome-scale CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) and interference (CRISPRi) technologies to systematically identify genetic determinants of cell growth, productivity, and cellular metabolism in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. By integrating pooled CRISPR screening with advanced bioprocessing approaches—including pseudo-perfusion cultivation, high-density cell culture, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), and next-generation sequencing—we uncover novel engineering targets that enhance cell line performance under industrially relevant manufacturing conditions.