University of California-Irvine · BiochemistryNitroFix Innovations
Yilin Hu · Irvine, California
Research Focus
Dr. Yilin Hu's lab at UC Irvine focuses on studying nitrogenase, an important enzyme that converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which is crucial for agriculture and the environment. The team investigates how nitrogenase operates at a molecular level and seeks to improve its expression in bacteria. Their work aims to find innovative applications for nitrogenase that could enhance crop yields and reduce pollution, ultimately contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.
nitrogenasenitrogen fixationmetalloenzymesynthetic biologyprotein engineeringagriculturebiotechnologyenvironmental sustainability
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the novel enzymatic mechanisms of nitrogenase.
AIM 02Develop strategies for the heterologous expression of nitrogenase in E. coli.
AIM 03Enhance the functionality of nitrogenase through protein engineering.
AIM 04Optimize electron and energy supply systems in bacterial hosts.
AIM 05Facilitate the development of nitrogenase-based applications in agriculture.
Skills the Lab Values
protein expressionsite-directed mutagenesisgene recombinationbiochemical assaysspectroscopy techniquescell cultureenzyme kineticsbioinformaticsmolecular cloningstructural biology
Output against the department
Publications233top 33% of dept.131st of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations8.1kbottom 44% of dept.227th of 402
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.