Cellular Sensing and Computing Systems
We engineer RNA networks that enable living cells to detect intracellular RNA molecules and perform computations.
Welcome
Welcome to the website of the Green lab in the Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics at the Biodesign Institute and the School of Molecular Sciences at Arizona State University.
Research
Our group pursues highly interdisciplinary research at the interfaces of chemistry, biology, and materials science. Much of this work exploits programmable molecular interactions between nucleic acids and proteins to direct the assembly of nanometer-scale organic and inorganic components and to construct information-processing circuitry inside living cells. These efforts have wide-ranging implications for biotechnology, medicine, biosensing, and nanotechnology.
Low-Cost Portable Diagnostic Systems
We develop low-cost portable diagnostics that can be used to detect pathogens in low-resource settings.
Novel Antimicrobial Materials and Coatings
We develop new antimicrobial materials that are active against broad classes of drug-resistant bacteria and fungi.
Production and Chemical Modification of 2D Materials
We produce and chemically modify two-dimensional materials with novel electronic, optical, and mechanical properties.
News
The latest news and developments from the Green lab at ASU.
New electrochemical platform paves the way for advanced portable diagnostic tools
Scientists at the University of Toronto and Arizona State University have developed the first direct gene circuit to electrode interface by combining cell-free synthetic biology with state-of-the-art nanostructured electrodes. The work is published in Nature Chemistry. (ASU Biodesign story)
That’s a switch! Synthetic circuits regulate gene expression
The Green lab at ASU’s Biodesign Institute and scientists from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and Northwestern University are carrying RNA’s startling capacities further by designing sophisticated RNA circuits that can perform a variety of computer-like logic tasks within living cells. (ASU Biodesign and ASU Now story)
Gene-OFF switches tool up synthetic biology
Programmable repressor elements expand the toolbox of synthetic biologists, enabling more sophisticated and accurate diagnostic, environmental, and biofabrication approaches. The work is published in Nature Chemical Biology. (Wyss Institute story)
Mahmoud Matar Abed: Master’s Defense
Mahmoud successfully defended his Master’s thesis on artificial enzymes based on two-dimensional nanomaterials. Congratulations!
Duo Ma: PhD Defense
Lab member Duo Ma successfully defended his PhD dissertation entitled “RNA-Based Computing Devices for Intracellular and Diagnostic Applications”. Congratulations, Duo!
Green lab receives DARPA YFA Director’s Fellowship
The Green lab has been awarded at DARPA Young Faculty Award Director’s Fellowship to provide $250,000 in funding to develop RNA-programmed systems for synthesis of libraries of antimicrobial drug candidates.
Lab Members
Prof. Alexander A. Green
Alexander Green is an Assistant Professor in the Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics and the School of Molecular Sciences at Arizona State University. (More…)
Dr. Duo Ma
Duo joined ASU in 2014 and received his PhD in 2019. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from Shandong University in China. His research is focused on designing riboregulators and exploring their applications in different systems. Besides research, he enjoys reading and playing guitar.
Dr. Yu Zhou
Yu obtained her PhD from ASU in 2019. Her research is focused on cellular regulation using de-novo-designed riboregulators and portable in vitro diagnostics. She received her bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology and her master’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Hunan University, China. In her leisure time, she enjoys cooking and basketball.
Anli Tang
Annie joined the lab as a graduate student in 2014. She obtained her undergraduate degree in biochemistry from ASU. Her research focuses on developing aptamer-based sensors for pathogens and reengineering nonribosomal peptide synthesis. Annie enjoys hiking and collecting vintage handbags.
Matthew Gilliam
Matt joined ASU in 2016 as a graduate student and is pursuing a PhD in Chemistry. He received a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 2016 where he studied the stability of anisotropic gold nanoprisms. He currently works on liquid-phase exfoliated non-van der Waals 2D nanomaterials. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies and jogging around campus.
Sanchari Saha
Sanchari is from West Bengal India. She did her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Chemistry from University of Calcutta, India. She joined the School of Molecular Sciences in 2016. Her research focuses on developing novel biocompatible 2D materials to combat multidrug-resistant microbes. Her hobbies include painting, watching movies, and eating good food.
Publications
† denotes corresponding author
* denotes equal contribution
P. S. Mousavi*, S. J. Smith*, J. B. Chen*, M. Karlikow, A. Tinafar, C. Robinson, W. Liu, D. Ma, A. A. Green, S. O. Kelley† & K. Pardee†, “A multiplexed, electrochemical interface for gene-circuit-based sensors,” Nature Chemistry published online (2019).
[ Journal ]J. Kim*, Y. Zhou*, P. Carlson, M. Teichmann, S. Chaudhary, F. C. Simmel, P. A. Silver, J. J. Collins, J. B. Lucks, P. Yin† & A. A. Green†, “De-Novo-Designed Translation-Repressing Riboregulators for Multi-Input Cellular Logic,” Nature Chemical Biology published online (2019).
[ Journal | bioRxiv | Sequence tables ]A. A. Green, “Synthetic bionanotechnology: synthetic biology finds a toehold in nanotechnology,” Emerging Topics in Life Sciences published online (2019).
[ Journal | pdf ]D. O. Li, M. S. Gilliam, X. S. Chu, A. Yousaf, Y. Guo, A. A. Green & Q. H. Wang†, “Covalent chemical functionalization of semiconducting layered chalcogenide nanosheets,” Molecular Systems Design & Engineering 4, 962-973 (2019).
[ Journal ]D. Ma, L. Shen, K. Wu, C. W. Diehnelt & A. A. Green†, “Low-Cost Detection of Norovirus Using Paper-Based Cell-Free Systems and Synbody-Based Viral Enrichment,” Synthetic Biology 3 (1), ysy018 (2018).
[ Journal | PubMed ]X. S. Chu, A. Yousaf, D. O. Li, A. A. Tang, A. Debnath, D. Ma, A. A. Green†, E. J. G. Santos† & Q. H. Wang†, “Direct Covalent Chemical Functionalization of Unmodified Two-Dimensional Molybdenum Disulfide,” Chemistry of Materials 30, 2112-2128 (2018).
[ Journal ]J. Kim, P. Yin† & A. A. Green†, “Ribocomputing: Cellular Logic Computation Using RNA Devices,” Biochemistry 57, 883-885 (2017).
[ Journal | PubMed ]X. S. Chu, D. O. Li, A. A. Green & Q. H. Wang†, “Formation of MoO3 and WO3 Nanoscrolls from MoS2 and WS2 by Atmospheric Air Plasma,” Journal of Materials Chemistry C 5, 11301-11309 (2017).
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