Company Filing History:
Years Active: 2017-2023
Title: Innovations by Inventor Justin Feng
Introduction
Justin Feng is an accomplished inventor based in Cambridge, MA (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of biosensors, holding 2 patents that showcase his innovative approach to small molecule detection. His work has implications for various applications, including metabolic engineering and transcription control.
Latest Patents
Feng's latest patents focus on the development of small molecule biosensors. These biosensors are designed to be versatile, applicable in a range of scenarios from metabolic engineering to the orthogonal control of transcription. The biosensors utilize a ligand-binding domain (LBD) that can be adapted for any target molecule. By fusing the LBD to either a fluorescent protein or a transcriptional activator, and destabilizing it through mutation, the biosensor accumulates only in the presence of the target ligand. This innovative method has been successfully applied to create biosensors for digoxin and progesterone. When the ligand is added to cells expressing the biosensor, it activates transcription in yeast, mammalian cells, and plants, achieving a dynamic range of up to about 100-fold or more. Additionally, these biosensors have been utilized to enhance the biotransformation of pregnenolone to progesterone in yeast and to regulate CRISPR activity in mammalian cells. This work provides a general methodology for developing biosensors for a wide array of molecules.
Career Highlights
Throughout his career, Justin Feng has worked at prestigious institutions such as Harvard College and the University of Washington. His research has significantly advanced the understanding and application of biosensors in various scientific fields.
Collaborations
Feng has collaborated with notable individuals in the field, including Daniel J Mandell and George M Church. These collaborations have further enriched his research and contributed to the development of innovative biosensor technologies.
Conclusion
Justin Feng's contributions to the field of biosensors exemplify the power of innovation in science. His patents and research have opened new avenues for applications in metabolic engineering and transcription control, showcasing the potential of biosensors in modern biotechnology.