Guanqun (Gavin) Chen, PhD

Area of Study / Keywords

lipid biotechnology oilseed crops oleaginous microorganisms canola arabidopsis yeast microalgae metabolic engineering synthetic biology

About

PhD                     The University of Hong Kong

Selected Recent Awards and Honours

2023                     The C.D. Nelson Award in Plant Biology, Canadian Society of Plant Biologists 

2023                     Fulbright Scholar Award

2018 - present     Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Plant Lipid Biotechnology 

Research

The use of vegetable oils as a source of dietary lipids, renewable biomaterials, and biofuels is increasing worldwide. Enhancing seed oil production is essential to meet global demand and support Canada’s economy and customizing seed oils for specific markets can add value and create new diversification opportunities for oilseed producers. Some microorganisms, including certain microalgal and yeast species, are also capable of accumulating large amounts of lipids and other valuable bioproducts. Improving oil yield and quality in both seeds and microorganisms remains a challenge due to limited understanding of oil biosynthesis and the need for more effective biotechnology strategies. Strengthening agronomic traits—such as stress tolerance, seed yield, and oil quality—is equally important for achieving stable and sustainable oil crop production in the face of environmental variability.

We are interested in:
– expanding our knowledge of storage lipid formation and acyl editing;
– increasing oil yield in plants and microorganisms;
– producing specialty oils and other high-value bioproducts in plants and microorganisms via synthetic biology;
– improving agronomic characteristics of oil crops (e.g., stress tolerance, seed yield, and quality).

Teaching

Plants for Bioproducts (PL SC 345 & AFNS 545); Lipid Science (AFNS 414 & AFNS 514).

Please refer to the lab website for available positions. https://plb.ualberta.ca/available-positions/

We appreciate the interest of all applicants. Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Thank you for your understanding.

AFNS 414 - Lipid Science

Fundamentals in lipid biochemistry featuring learning modules of relevance to students of plant, food and animal science, and human nutrition, and other life science. Topics include characteristics of lipids, environmental effects on lipid metabolism, oilseed biotechnology and biomass solutions for petrochemical alternatives. Normally offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: BIOCH 200 or PL SC 345.

AFNS 514 - Lipid Science

Fundamentals in lipid biochemistry featuring learning modules of relevance to students of plant, food and animal science, and human nutrition, and other life science. Topics include characteristics of lipids, environmental effects on lipid metabolism, oilseed biotechnology and biomass solutions for petrochemical alternatives. Normally offered in alternate years. Not to be taken if credit received for AFNS 414. Prerequisite: BIOCH 200, PL SC 345, or consent of instructor.

AFNS 545 - Plants for Bioproducts

This course will enable students to get a comprehensive understanding of the production and use of plant bioproducts. By the end, students will be able to properly outline the most recent research, development and production of certain plant bioproducts in written and oral presentations. The following contexts will be given special consideration in lectures: carbon cycle and human impacts, strategies for reducing our environmental footprint, and production and application of plant-based industrial materials. Students will also prepare a written overview on a given topic and then give an oral presentation about this topic in class. Not to be taken if credit received for PL SC 345. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

PL SC 345 - Plants for Bioproducts

Agronomy, breeding, biochemistry, biotechnology, and ecological issues related to production of plants for bioproducts. Topics selected from biodiesel, fuel ethanol, biolubricants, bioplastic, platform biochemicals, and starch and protein for nonfood applications. Prerequisite: BIOL 107, PL SC 221, or CHEM 164.

Browse more courses taught by Guanqun (Gavin) Chen

2025 May;

• Google Scholar
• lab webpage