Senior Scientist at Nanjing Vazyme Biotechnology Company, China
🔬🎓 Dr. Z. Liu is a distinguished scientist specializing in enzyme engineering and microbial biotechnology. With expertise in protein rational design, directed evolution, and computational modeling, he focuses on developing high-performance enzymes for industrial and medical applications. A prolific researcher and innovator, Dr. Liu integrates cutting-edge techniques like CRISPR-assisted rational design and cooperative substitution methods to advance enzymology. 🌟📈👨🔬
Publication Profile :
Scopus
Educational Background 🎓
Z. Liu has a strong academic foundation in biochemistry and molecular biology, with advanced training in enzyme engineering and microbial biotechnology. His education laid the groundwork for his expertise in protein design, directed evolution, and enzyme applications.
Professional Experience 💼
Z. Liu is a leading researcher and academic in the fields of enzyme engineering and microbial biotechnology. He has contributed extensively to the design and optimization of enzymes for industrial and therapeutic applications, including the development of high-stability enzymes and efficient expression systems in microbial hosts such as Pichia pastoris. His professional work includes the rational design of enzymes using surface charge modifications, directed evolution for improved catalytic properties, and genome editing to enhance enzyme functionality. His research spans collaborations with industry and academia, focusing on practical solutions for enzyme stability, catalytic efficiency, and prebiotic preparation.
Research Interests 🔬
Z. Liu’s research is centered on:
- Rational Protein Design: Enhancing enzyme stability and activity using computational modeling and experimental methods.
- Directed Evolution: High-throughput screening and mutagenesis to optimize enzyme performance.
- Microbial Biotechnology: Developing superior expression systems in microbes like Pichia pastoris for large-scale enzyme production.
- Enzyme Applications: Innovations in the preparation of prebiotic mannooligosaccharides and other industrial applications.
- Thermostable Enzymes: Engineering enzymes for high-temperature and low-pH conditions.
Publications 📚
- Z. Liu, X. Fu, M. Yuan, Q. Liang, C. Zhu, H. Mou, Surface charged amino acid-based strategy for rational engineering of kinetic stability and specific activity of enzymes: Linking experiments with computational modeling. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 182, 228–236 (2021).
- M. Wu, L. Cao, W. Tang, Z. Liu*, S. Feng, Improving the anti-autolytic ability of alkaline protease from Bacillus alcalophilus by a rationally combined strategy. Enzyme Microb. Technol., 110561 (2024).
- Z. Liu, L. Cao, X. Fu, Q. Liang, H. Sun, H. Mou, *A multi-functional genetic manipulation system and its use in high-level expression of a β-mannanase mutant with high specific activity in Pichia pastoris. Microb. Biotechnol. 14, 1525–1538 (2021).
- W. Zhang#, Z. Liu#, S. Zhou, H. Mou, R. Zhang, Cloning and expression of a β-mannanase gene from Bacillus sp. MK-2 and its directed evolution by random mutagenesis. Enzyme Microb. Technol. 124, 70–78 (2019).
- Z. Liu, C. Ning, M. Yuan, X. Fu, S. Yang, X. Wei, M. Xiao, H. Mou, C. Zhu, High-efficiency expression of a superior β-mannanase engineered by cooperative substitution method in Pichia pastoris and its application in preparation of prebiotic mannooligosaccharides. Bioresour. Technol. 311, 123482 (2020).
- Z. Liu, L. Cao, X. Fu, Q. Liang, H. Sun, H. Mou, *A multi-functional genetic manipulation system and its use in high-level expression of a β-mannanase mutant with high specific activity in Pichia pastoris. Microb. Biotechnol. 14, 1525–1538 (2021).
- Q. Liang, L. Cao, C. Zhu, Q. Kong, H. Sun, F. Zhang, H. Mou, Z. Liu*, *Characterization of recombinant antimicrobial peptide BMGlv2 heterologously expressed in Trichoderma reesei. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 23 (2022). doi:10.3390/ijms231810291.
- W. Zhang#, Z. Liu#, S. Zhou, H. Mou, R. Zhang, Cloning and expression of a β-mannanase gene from Bacillus sp. MK-2 and its directed evolution by random mutagenesis. Enzyme Microb. Technol. 124, 70–78 (2019).
- Z. Liu, C. Ning, M. Yuan, X. Fu, S. Yang, X. Wei, M. Xiao, H. Mou, C. Zhu, High-efficiency expression of a superior β-mannanase engineered by cooperative substitution method in Pichia pastoris and its application in preparation of prebiotic mannooligosaccharides. Bioresour. Technol. 311, 123482 (2020).
- Z. Liu, C. Ning, M. Yuan, S. Yang, X. Wei, M. Xiao, X. Fu, C. Zhu, H. Mou, High-level expression of a thermophilic and acidophilic beta-mannanase from Aspergillus kawachii IFO 4308 with significant potential in mannooligosaccharide preparation. Bioresour. Technol. 295, 122257 (2019).