Jan-Fang Cheng

Retiree Affiliate

Genomic Technologies

Secondary Affiliation: Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology

Comparative and Functional Genomics

Building: 91, Room 210L
Mail Stop: 100PGF100
Phone: (925) 296-5828
JFCheng@lbl.gov
http://jgi.doe.gov/our-science/scientists-jgi/functional-genomics-2/

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Studying the Tiniest Archaea, JGI Users Find a Genomic Switch of Friend or Foe

October 12, 2023

Within the archaeal domain, there is a group of tiny hitchhikers. These organisms are abundant and yet exceptionally small, with mini genomes to match. To fill in their nutrient gaps, they must latch onto a larger host — often, a fellow archaeal microbe. Recently, researchers used population genomics to find that while archaeal hitchhikers may often act as parasites, in other cases, they likely help their hosts.

JGI Extracts the Secrets of Secondary Metabolites

August 23, 2022

Microbial secondary metabolites, those molecules not essential for growth yet essential for survival, may now be easier to characterize following a JGI proof-of-concept study in which researchers paired CRISPR and CRAGE technologies. CRAGE (developed by a JGI team led by Yasuo Yoshikuni) offers CRISPR a point of entry into microbes that it previously lacked. Then, by using CRISPR to knock out or activate genes, researchers at the JGI were able to monitor loss- and gain-of-function, with the analytical data showing peaks and valleys in secondary metabolites as genes are edited. The pairing proved to rapidly confirm enhanced production of 22 metabolites from six biosynthetic gene clusters. One of those was a metabolite from a previously uncharacterized biosynthetic gene cluster. Learn more on the JGI website.

Congratulations to Biosciences Area Director’s Award Recipients

September 22, 2021

Numerous Biosciences Area personnel are among the 2021 Berkeley Lab Director’s Awards honorees. This annual program recognizes outstanding contributions by employees to all facets of Lab activities. A complete list of winners can be found here. The 10th annual Director’s Awards ceremony will take place on November 18 at noon.

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