UW-Madison Dept of Bacteriology
Thomas W. Jeffries
Professor of Bacteriology
14 Forest Products Laboratory
1 Gifford Pinchot Drive
(608) 231-9453
twjeffri@wisc.edu
Research Focus
Our research interests are in the areas of microbial physiology, metabolic regulation and metabolic engineering as they apply to the utilization of lignocellulosic materials. This involves genetic engineering of novel yeasts, strain screening, scale-up, microbial biochemistry, and molecular genetics. Areas of emphasis are the fermentation of xylose by yeasts and metabolic pathway engineering. Research activities include metabolic engineering in the xylose-fermenting yeast, Pichia stipitis; optimization of metabolic pathways in Saccharomyces cerevisiae; determination of rate-limiting steps in yeast fermentation and growth; and alteration of intermediary metabolism to regulate energetics.