Jose Jimenez is a Senior Lecturer in Synthetic Biology at Imperial College London, whose research occurs at the interface of synthetic biology and evolution. His lab is interested in how evolution shapes the properties of proteins exhibiting quantum mechanisms, cell economics, and the dynamics of complex microbial communities. The applications of this research range from the development of novel methods to fight antibiotic resistance, to the use of engineered microorganisms for the upcycling of plastic waste.
TIMESTAMPS
(00:48) – What is quantum biology?
(07:28) – Investigating the evolution of quantum systems in biology
(11:28) – Quantum biology and synthetic biology
(14:56) – What can quantum biology explain?
(20:00) – What is cell economics?
(27:10) – Feedback control to reduce the cost of protein synthesis
(32:45) – Cell economics and fundamental biology
(36:50) – Bacterial bet-hedging
(39:07) – Microbial communities in synthetic biology
(46:48) – Potential of manipulating microbial social interactions
(51:28) – Jose's research interests
(56:19) – The landscape of synthetic biology - academia vs industry
(1:03:31) – Advice for young scientists
