Tell us a bit about yourself…
Hello CYBER team, my name is Muhammad Yasir Akbar and I recently joined the CYBER team as a Research Associate at Newcastle University under the supervision of Prof. Natalio Krasnogor. My background is in bioinformatics, and I have professional experience in microbial genome analysis, barcoding, metabolic modelling and applications in synthetic biology. I have worked on various projects ranging from drug design to machine learning models for microbial genomics. I am thrilled to bring my expertise to the CYBER project.
How did you end up working on the CYBER project?
My interest in the CYBER project comes from its unique focus on environmental restoration using cyanobacteria. The project not only aims to restore the environment but also addresses biosecurity concerns, reflecting the growing need for safe and responsible genetic engineering. I was very excited to contribute to the development of safe genomic barcoding and related technologies.
What are you most excited about in your role?
I am particularly excited to work on the biosecurity aspect, designing barcoding systems and genome safe harbors for integration that ensure traceability and safety. I am also excited by the chance to collaborate with such a diverse and talented team and to contribute to developing new tools. I look forward to learning from my colleagues too.
What do you think is going to be the toughest challenge for CYBER?
I think the toughest challenge for CYBER project will be to develop methods that depict the real-world performance of the cyanobacteria in wind tunnels. Another challenge is balancing innovation with biosecurity and developing effective tools, which can be time-intensive.
Where do you see yourself heading in the future?
I hope to continue working at the intersection of bioinformatics and synthetic biology to engineer microbes for environmental restoration. My goal is to develop powerful and effective tools for this purpose. I am always open to learning new techniques and skills.
