Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are critical components of the stem cell niche and consist of long chain polymers of recurring disaccharide units usually composed of either D-glucosamine or D-galactosamine, and D-glucuronic acid or L-iduronic acid that when coupled to a core protein result in the formation of proteoglycans (PGs). We have developed the first animal-free biomanufacturing process to generate the critical anticoagulant drug heparin.

Nearly 20% of known oxidoreductases require cofactors to supply stoichiometric quantities of reducing equivalents. For the majority of these oxidoreductases, NAD(P)H is the required cofactor. Since the total pool of intracellular NAD(P)H and NAD(P)+ is relatively small, cofactor recycling is needed in the order of thousands to millions of cycles. We are developing an electrochemical bioreactor (EBR) for enzymatic transformations and ultimately leading to fermentation-based biotransformations.

There is growing interest in developing new tools and technologies to improve and expand the use of gene therapy as a potential treatment for several genetic and degenerative diseases. Viral vectors, In particular, lentiviral vectors (LVVs) are of interest because of their ability to infect both dividing and non-dividing cells, as well as for their capacity to carry a large genetic payload size. This makes LVVs ideal delivery candidates for gene and CAR-T therapies. We are developing new approaches for the rapid optimization of LVV production and characterization, which will improve opportunities for LVV manufacturing and use in gene therapy applications.