The Molecular Biology and Protein Engineering laboratory (MKC group) is actively involved in molecular cloning, recombinant protein engineering and expression in Escherichia coli and yeast (Pichia pastoris and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and also rice tissue culture. We also work on the purification of the recombinant protein expressed. We have been working on the characteristics and functional of b-glucosidases from rice. Our previous rice b-glucosidase studied including Os1bglu4, Os1bglu1,Os3bglu7, Os3bglu8, Os7bglu26, Os12bglu38 and Os11bglu36. Currently, we are working on Os12bglu38. 

For the none rice project includes expression and purification of human basic fibroblast growth factor (hbFGF) and human and mouse transcription factors. These proteins are designed to be tag with fluorescent proteins and produced in E. coli. They are used for generating induce pluripotence stem cells (iPSCs).

P. pastoris engineered to produce high omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are also one of the work in our lab. The yeast will be use as fish feed to increase the level of poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in Nile tilapia. And the last on going project is engineering S. cerevisiae to produce ethanol directly from cassava pulp without addition of extra enzymes to break down starch in to sugar prior to the fermentation to reduce cost of ethanol production.