Shuguang Zhang

Principal Research Scientist

Biotechnologies

Manipulating microorganisms for product commercialisation

I am Shuguang Zhang, a Principal Research Scientist specialising in Bioprocessing and Fermentation in the field of Biotechnologies. My training is in microbiology and I work manipulating microorganisms, including bacteria, filamentous fungi, and yeasts, at both molecular and flask/agar plate scales. My expertise lies in the production of microbial biomass, metabolites, recombinant proteins/enzymes, as well as the testing of antimicrobial activities of bioactive materials.

One of my biggest inspirations comes from the diversity of ideas brought forward by our clients. I love the unique perspectives and concepts they present, which I had never considered or heard of before. Collaborating with our clients provides me with real opportunities to learn and explore novel concepts within the laboratory setting.

One of my notable contributions at Callaghan Innovation is assisting clients in developing prototype products. The successful commercialisation of these products including new patents, establishment of manufacturing facilities, and mass production showcases the tangible impact of my work.

I am a proud member of the New Zealand Microbiological Society and the Royal Society of New Zealand (MRSNZ). I am driven by the excitement of embracing new challenges and the opportunity to make a positive impact. Every day, I focus on guiding, collaborating, and advancing the field of biotechnologies. Together, my team explores new possibilities, pushes the boundaries of scientific discovery, and drives innovation in bioprocessing and fermentation.

Areas of expertise

Isolation, purification and identification of environmental microorganisms
Microbial culturing and optimisation at lab scale for scale up (bacteria, fungi and yeast)
Genome-wide microbial genetic analysis
Microbial genetic modification (bacteria, filamentous fungi and yeast)
Construction of expression systems for recombinant proteins, enzymes and bioactive metabolites
Microbial inhibition analysis of bioactive materials

Education

PhD, Microbiology, The University of Adelaide, 2001
MSc, Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1995
BSc, Microbiology, Sichuan University, 1992

Memberships and awards

Member of New Zealand Microbiological Society
Member of the Royal Society of New Zealand (MRSNZ)

Selected publications

Chapter 2: Fundamentals of Fermentation Media, Allikian, K.; Edgar, R.; Syed, R.; Zhang, S., In: Berenjian, A. (ed) Essentials in Fermentation Technology. Springer, New York, 2019, 41–84.
Highly mutable tandem DNA repeats generate a cell wall protein variant more frequent in disease-causing Candida albicans isolates than in commensal isolates, Zhou, Z.; Jordens, Z.; Zhang, S.; Zhang, N.; Schmid, J., PloS one, 2017, 12:e0180246.
Biotransformation using recombinant CMP sialic acid synthetase and α-2, 6-sialyltransferase: enzymatic synthesis of sialosides, Hubl, U.; Sun, C.; Zhang, S.; Watt, D.; Kim, S.; et al., American Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 2012, 8, 288–303.
The genomes of the fungal plant pathogens Cladosporum fulvum and Dothistroma septosporum reveal adaptation to different hosts and lifestyles but also signatures of common ancestry, de Wit, P.J.G.M.; van der Burgt, A.; Ökmen, B.; Stergiopoulos, I., Zhang, S., et al., PLoS Genet, 2012, 8:e1003088.
A fragmented aflatoxin-like gene cluster in the forest pathogen Dothistroma septosporum, Zhang, S.; Schwelm, A.; Jin, H.; Collins, L.J.; Bradshaw, R.E. , Fungal Genet Biol, 2007, 44, 1342–1354.