Leandro Vieira dos Santos

I work as a "Research Specialist in Synthetic Genomics" at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) at the University of Manchester. I am also a collaborator researcher at UNICAMP, supervising students in the graduate programs in Genetics and Molecular Biology at the Institute of Biology. My current research focuses on an interface between synthetic biology, metabolic/evolutionary engineering, omics, and the physiology of microorganisms of agroindustrial interest. Current lines of research include: i. design of synthetic biology tools for large-scale construction of microorganisms; ii. construction and evolution of synthetic genomes in yeasts (Sc2.0 project); iii. engineering metabolic pathways and fluxes in microorganisms for the production of value-added biocompounds; iv. engineering sugar transporters to optimize the conversion of sugars derived from biomass; v. molecular mechanisms of tolerance to multiple inhibitors and industrial stresses.I hold a PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), where I worked on synthetic biology projects and the modification of industrial microorganisms. I also hold a Master's in Microbiology and a Bachelor's in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), where I worked on the prospecting and identification of genes related to pathogenicity in fungi that infect crops of commercial interest at the Biotechnology Institute for Agriculture (BIOAGRO/UFV). I completed a period as a 'visiting researcher'/postdoc at the University of Liverpool (UK) and the University of Manchester, in collaboration with Professors Douglas Kell and Patrick Cai, establishing an extensive network of international collaborations.I worked at GranBio/BioCelere, responsible for the development of the first genetically modified yeast entirely developed in Brazil, which had its commercial release approved by CTNBio for use in the agroindustrial sector. Currently, the microorganism is being used by the industry. Among the patents I hold, two are in use in the industry. I served as the Reseach Leader in Genetics and Molecular Biology at the Senai Institute of Innovation (ISI Biotech) in Biotechnology. I also worked as a researcher II at CNPEM/LNBR in the development of microorganisms for the conversion of agroindustrial waste into biofuels and renewable biochemicals. (Source: Lattes Curriculum)