Hui Wu

Education

2000-2004 B.S., Nanjing University of Technology, Nanjing, CHINA.

2004-2009 Ph.D., East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai, CHINA.

Professional experience

2009-2011 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, SIPPE, SIBS, CAS, CHINA.

2011-2014   Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, USA.

2014-2015 Assistant Professor. East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai, CHINA.

2015-Present Associate Professor. East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai, CHINA.

Research interests

1．Metabolic Engineering and Metabolic Regulation

Microbial biosynthesis of sustainable biofuels or biochemicals from renewable feedstocks, such as lignocellulose biomass from forest and agricultural residue, has attracted significant attention in recent years. Our team is focusing on the engineering and manipulating microbial systems (E. coli, Klebsiella peneumoniae, etc) to biosynthesize various useful biofuels, bulk chemicals and pharmaceuticals from renewable feed stocks, such as Succinic acid, 3-Hydroxypropionic acid, 1,3-Propanediol, Acetone, Free fatty acids with different chain length, etc.

2．Synthetic Biology -- “Metabolic Transistor”

In this approach of “metabolic transistor”, a small change in the level or availability of an essential component for the process is controlled by adding a competitive reaction that affects a precursor or an intermediate in its biosynthetic pathway.

3. CO₂ fixation based on Microbial-electrochemical System

Engineered autotrophic E. coli strains will be constructed to fix CO₂ which based on the Microbial-electrochemical System by using the strategies of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Our team is focusing on using the engineered strains to synthesize various useful biofuels and bulk chemicals, such as Acetone, Isopropanol, Succinic acid, 3-Hydroxypropionic acid, etc.

Editorial Board

Bioresources and Bioprocessing, Lead Guest Editor for Special Edition “ACB 2015: Marching Toward a Sustainable Future” (2015-2016).

Bioresources and Bioprocessing, Executive Editor (2016- ).

Journal Reviewer

Biotechnology Advances, Metabolic Engineering, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Biotechnology for Biofuel, Microbial Cell Factories, Biotechnology Journal, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Bioresource Technology, Biochemical Engineering Journal, Process Biochemistry, Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, Bioresources and Bioprocessing, etc.

Selected publication

1．Jiapeng Tang, Zhenqing Qian, Hui Wu*. 2018. Enhancing cordycepin production in liquid static cultivation of Cordyceps militaris by adding vegetable oils as the secondary carbon source. Bioresource Technology. 268:60-67. (IF=5.807, JCR Q1)

2．Bing Huang, Hao Yang, Guochen Fang, Xing Zhang, Hui Wu*, Zhimin Li*, Qin Ye. 2018. Central pathway engineering for enhanced succinate biosynthesis from acetate in Escherichia coli. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 115:943-954. (*Co-corresponding) (IF=3.952, JCR Q1)

3．Wei Li^#, Hui Wu^#, Mai Li, Ka-Yiu San*. 2018. Effect of NADPH availability on free fatty acid production in E. coli. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 115:444-452. (^#First two authors contributed to this paper equally) (IF=3.952, JCR Q1)

4．Han Liu, Guochen Fang, Hui Wu*, Zhimin Li*, Qin Ye. 2018. L-cysteine production in Escherichia coli based on rational metabolic engineering and modular strategy. Biotechnology Journal. 13:e1700695. (*Co-corresponding) (IF=3.507, JCR Q2)

5.  Feng Li^#, Yuanxiu Li^#, Liming Sun, Xiaoli Chen, Xingjuan An, Changji Yin, Yingxiu Cao, Hui Wu, Hao Song*. 2018. Modular engineering intracellular NADH regeneration boosts extracellular electron transfer of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. ACS Synthetic Biology. 7(3):885-895. (IF=5.316, JCR Q1)

6．Qing Li#, Bing Huang#, Qiaofei He, Jingxian Lu, Xun Li, Zhimin Li, Hui Wu*, Qin Ye. 2018. Production of succinate from simply purified crude glycerol by engineered Escherichia coli using two-stage fermentation. Bioresources and Bioprocessing. 5:41. (^#First two authors contributed to this paper equally; *Co-corresponding)

7. Jiaqi Jiang, Bing Huang, Hui Wu*, Zhimin Li*, Qin Ye. Efficient 3-hydroxypropionic acid production from glycerol by metabolically engineered Klebsiella pneumoniae. Bioresources and Bioprocessing. 5:34. (*Co-corresponding)

8．Qing Li, Bing Huang, Hui Wu*, Zhimin Li, Qin Ye. 2017. Efficient anaerobic production of succinate from glycerol in engineered Escherichia coli by using dual carbon sources and limiting oxygen supply in preceding aerobic culture. Bioresource Technology. 231: 75-84. (IF=5.807, JCR Q1)

9．Xing Zhang^#, Hui Wu^#, Bing Huang, Zhimin Li*, Qin Ye. 2017. One-pot synthesis of glutathione by a two-enzyme cascade using a thermophilic ATP regeneration system. Journal of Biotechnology. 241:163-169. (^# First two authors contributed to this paper equally) (IF=2.533, JCR Q2)

10．Qing Li^#, Hui Wu^#, Zhimin Li, Qin Ye*. 2016. Enhanced succinate production from glycerol by engineered Escherichia coli strains. Bioresource Technology. 218:217-223. (^# First two authors contributed to this paper equally) (IF=5.807, JCR Q1)

11．Yunjie Li, Bing Huang, Hui Wu*, Zhimin Li*, Qin Ye, Yi-Heng Percival Zhang. 2016. Production of succinate from acetate by metabolically engineered Escherichia coli. ACS Synthetic Biology. 5:1299-1307. (*Co-corresponding) (IF=5.316, JCR Q1)

12．Jianhua Yang, Wei Li, Dezheng Wang, Hui Wu*, Zhimin Li*, Qin Ye. 2016. Characterization of bifunctional L-glutathione synthetases from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and Actinobacillus succinogenes for efficient glutathione biosynthesis. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 100(14): 6279-6289. (*Co-corresponding) (IF=3.340, JCR Q2)

13．Jing Zhang, Cong Quan, Cheng Wang, Hui Wu*, Zhimin Li*, Qin Ye. 2016. Systematic manipulation of glutathione metabolism in Escherichia coli for improved glutathione production. Microbial Cell Factories. 15:38. (*Co-corresponding) (IF=3.831, JCR Q1)

14．Zhuan Cheng, Jiaqi Jiang, Hui Wu, Zhimin Li*, Qin Ye. 2016. Enhanced production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid from glucose via malonyl-CoA pathway by engineered Escherichia coli. Bioresource Technology. 200: 897-904. (IF=5.807, JCR Q1)

15．Dezheng Wang, Cheng Wang, Hui Wu*, Zhimin Li*, Qin Ye. 2016. Glutathione production by recombinant Escherichia coli expressing bifunctional glutathione synthetase. Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology. 43:45-53. (*Co-corresponding) (IF=3.103, JCR Q2)

16．Cheng Wang, Jing Zhang, Hui Wu*, Zhimin Li*, Qin Ye. 2015. Heterologous gshF gene expression in various vector systems in Escherichia coli for enhanced glutathione production. Journal of Biotechnology. 214:63-68. (*Co-corresponding). (IF=2.533, JCR Q2)

17．Hui Wu, Leepika Tuli, George N. Bennett, Ka-Yiu San*. 2015. Metabolic transistor strategy for controlling electron transfer chain in Escherichia coli. Metabolic Engineering. 28: 159-168. (IF=7.674, JCR Q1)

18．Hui Wu, George N. Bennett, Ka-Yiu San*. 2015. Metabolic control of respiratory levels in coenzyme Q biosynthesis-deficient Escherichia coli strains leading to fine-tune aerobic lactate fermentation. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 112(8):1720-1726. (IF=3.952, JCR Q1)

19．Hui Wu, Jane Lee, Mukund Karanjikar, Ka-Yiu San*. 2015. Simultaneous utilization of glucose and mannose from woody hydrolysate for free fatty acid production by metabolically engineered Escherichia coli. Bioresource Technology. 185: 431-435. (IF=5.807, JCR Q1)

20．Dan Wang, Hui Wu, Chandresh Thakker, Jared Beyersdorf, George N Bennett, Ka-Yiu San*. 2015. Efficient free fatty acid production in engineered Escherichia coli strains using soybean oligosaccharides as feedstock. Biotechnology Progress. 31:686-694. (IF=1.947, JCR Q2)

21．Hui Wu, Mukund Karanjikar, Ka-Yiu San*. 2014. Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for efficient free fatty acid production from glycerol. Metabolic Engineering. 25: 82-91. (IF=7.674, JCR Q1)

22．Hui Wu, Ka-Yiu San*. 2014. Efficient odd numbered straight-chain free fatty acid production by metabolically engineered Escherichia coli. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 111(11): 2209-2219. (IF=3.952, JCR Q1)

23．Yane Luo*, Tao Zhang, Hui Wu*. 2014. The transport and mediation mechanisms of the common sugars in Escherichia coli. Biotechnology Advances. 32: 905-919. (IF=11.452, JCR Q1)

24．Hui Wu, Jane Lee, Mukund Karanjikar, Ka-Yiu San*. 2014. Efficient free fatty acid production from wood hydrolysate in metabolically engineered Escherichia coli. Bioresource Technology. 169: 119-125. (IF=5.807, JCR Q1)

25．Hui Wu, Ka-Yiu San*. 2014. Engineering Escherichia coli for odd straight medium chain free fatty acid production. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 98(19): 8145-8154. (IF=3.340, JCR Q2)

26．Hui Wu, Qing Li, Zhi-min Li*, Qin Ye*. 2012. Succinic acid production and CO₂ fixation using a metabolically engineered Escherichia coli in a bioreactor equipped with a self-inducing agitator. Bioresource Technology. 107:376-384. (IF=5.807, JCR Q1)

27．Yuan Liu^♯, Hui Wu^♯, Qin Li, Xuwei Tang, Zhi-min Li*, Qin Ye. 2011. Process development of succinic acid production by Escherichia coli NZN111 using acetate as an aerobic carbon source. Enzyme and Microbial Technology. 49(5):459-64. (^♯ First two authors contributed to this paper equally) (IF=2.932, JCR Q2)

28．Yang Gu, Yu Jiang, Hui Wu, Xudong Liu, Zhilin Li, Jian Li, Han Xiao, Zhaobing Shen, Hongjun Dong, Yunliu Yang, Yin Li, Weihong Jiang*, Sheng Yang*. 2011. Economical challenges to microbial producers of butanol: feedstock, butanol ratio and titer. Biotechnology Journal. 6(11):1348-1357. (IF=3.507, JCR Q2)

29．Hui Wu, Zhi-min Li, Li Zhou, Jingli Xie, Qin Ye*. 2009. Enhanced anaerobic succinic acid production by Escherichia coli NZN111 aerobically grown on gluconeogenetic carbon sources. Enzyme and Microbial Technology. 44:165-169 (IF=2.932, JCR Q2)

30．Hui Wu, Zhi-min Li, Li Zhou, Qin Ye*. 2007. Improved succinic acid production in the anaerobic culture of an Escherichia coli pflB ldhA double mutant as a result of enhanced anaplerotic activities in the preceding aerobic culture. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 73:7837-7843. (IF=3.633, JCR Q1)

Chapter

1.  Qin Ye, Zhimin Li, Hui Wu. Principle and performance of gas self-inducing reactors and applications to biotechnology. 2015. Bioreactor Engineering Research and Industrial Applications II of the series Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology. Volume 152: pp 1-33

Patents

1.      Ka-Yiu San, George N. Bennett, Hui Wu. Metabolic transistors in bacteria. US Patent Number: 10,011,839 B2.

2.      Ka-Yiu San, Xixian Xie, Leepika Tuli, Hui Wu. Hydroxy- and dicarboxylic-fat synthesis by microbes. US patent. Number: 9,487,804.

3.      Ka-Yiu San, George N. Bennett and Hui Wu. Metabolic transistors in bacteria. US patent. Number: 9,441,253.

4.      Ka-Yiu San, Xian Zhang, Hui Wu, Dan Wang. KAS III-free fatty acid synthesis. WIPO Patent Application WO/2016/137897.

5.      Ka-Yiu San and Hui Wu. Integrated biodiesel process. US patent. Application Number: 14/266,942.

6.      Ka-Yiu San and Hui Wu. Microbial odd chain fatty acids. US patent. Application Number: 14/104,628.

7.      Hui Wu, Jianxian Lu, Zhimin Li, Qin Ye. A method of enhancing the ratio of lactate in poly(3-HB-co-Lac) produced by engineered E. coli strains. Chinese Patent. Application Number: 201810246568.X.

8.      Hui Wu, Hao Yang, Zhimin Li, Bing Huang, Qin Ye. A method of construction of metabolically engineered E. coli strains for acetone and isopropanol production from acetate. Chinese Patent. Application Number: 201710978174.9.

9.      Hui Wu, Bing Huang, Zhimin Li, Hao Yang, Qin Ye. A method of construction of metabolically engineered E. coli strains for hydroxyl-propionate production from acetate. Chinese Patent. Application Number: 201710969403.0.

10.   Zhimin Li, Bing Huang, Hui Wu, Qin Ye. A method of utilization of paper mill wastewater for succinate production. Chinese Patent. Application Number: 201711142577.6.

11.   Qin Ye, Qing Li, Zhimin Li, Hui Wu. A method of succinic acid production from glycerol by recombinant E. coli strains. Chinese Patent. Application Number: 201610305322.6.

12.   Zhimin Li, Yunjie Li, Hui Wu, Qin Ye. A method of construction of metabolically engineered E. coli strains for C4 dicarboxylic acid production from acetate. Application Number: 201410599042.1.

13.   Zhoutong Sun, Yinmiao Liu, Bingbing Sun, Yi Wang, Hui Wu, et al. A method for construction of engineered Escherichia coli for L-tryptophan production. Chinese Patent. Granted Number: ZL201010598350.

14.   Qin Ye, Zhimin Li, Hui Wu. A method of CO₂ fixation by C4 dicarboxylic acid production. Chinese Patent. Granted Number: ZL200810207564.7.

15.   Hui Wu, Zhimin Li, Qin Ye. A fermentation process for production of succinic acid by Escherichia coli. Chinese Patent. Granted Number: ZL200710135684.6.

Contact information

State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering 

School of Bioengineering 

East China University of Science and Technology

130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, CHINA 

Tel: 0086-21-64253701

Fax: 0086-21-64252250

E-mail: hwu@ecust.edu.cn