Brief CV:
ICREA Research Professor at Pompeu Fabra University. His work includes several synthetic biology breakthroughs (radically recoded genome, PERVs-free pigs, gene writing, skin microbiome engineering) that have produced important impact (>21,000 citations, 4 companies developing therapies, patents licensed to leading companies). He is an EMBO YI and member of Academia Joven de España. He has been recognized as ‘Highly Cited Researcher’ (2019); and with the National Research Award to the young talent (2018), the August Pi i Sunyer Award (2021) and the National Research Award Ángela Ruiz Robles (2022).
Engineering genomes and metagenomes, and the advent of synthetic evolution
Abstract:
Our research is focussed in developing new principles and technologies to engineer biological systems. AI is revolutionizing biodesign, and its coupling with multiplex DNA writing enables a new concept of synthetic evolution which promises to accelerate synthetic biology. We are levereging bioprospecting, AI and evolution to create new biological functions. Then, I will focus on 1) how we developed a gene writer for human cells and its deployment ex vivo (T cells) and in vivo (T cells, liver targeting). 2) how we use Cutibacterium acnes as a chassis to engineer human skin properties.
