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Tom Jeffries

Email: twjeffri@facstaff.wisc.edu

Professor of Bacteriology Degrees: Ph.D., 1975, Rutgers University, Biochemistry and Microbiology Postdoctorial Research 1977-1979, Columbia University, Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry

Research Focus

Dr. Jeffries' research interests are in the areas of microbial physiology, metabolic regulation and metabolic engineering as they apply to the utilization of lignocellulosic materials. Research is interdisciplinary and involves genetic engineering of novel yeasts, strain screening, scale-up, microbial biochemistry, and molecular genetics. Particular 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; alteration of intermediary metabolism to regulate energetics.

Representative Recent Publications:

• Jeffries, T. W. and Yong-Su Jin, 2003. Metabolic engineering for improved fermentation of xylose by yeasts. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. Nov. 1, 2003: in press

• Dien, B.S. M.A. Cotta, and T.W. Jeffries 2003. Bacteria engineered for fuel ethanol production: current status Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 63(3): 258-66.

• Jin, Y.S. and T.W. Jeffries. 2003. Changing flux of xylose metabolites by altering expression of xylose reductase and xylitol dehydrogenase in recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 105-108:277-285.

• Jin YS, Ni H, Laplaza JM, Jeffries TW. 2003. Optimal growth and ethanol production from xylose by recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae require moderate D-xylulokinase activity. Appl Environ Microbiol. 69(1): 495-503.

• Jin YS, Jones S, Shi NQ, Jeffries TW. 2003. Molecular cloning of XYL3 (D-xylulokinase) from Pichia stipitis and characterization of its physiological function. Appl Environ Microbiol. 68(3): 1232-1239 .

• Jeffries TW, Jin YS. 2002. Ethanol and thermotolerance in the bioconversion of xylose by yeasts. Adv Appl Microbiol. 47: 221-68.

• Jeffries, T.W. 1996. Biochemistry and genetics of microbial xylanases. Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 7: 337-342.

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