RESEARCH INTERESTS

My works aim to decode the genomic and biochemical features that contribute to the vast diversity of plants’ specialized metabolism.

Our immediate focus is on the medicinal alkaloids, of which many constitute the essential ingredients of traditional medicine worldwide. We utilize available, and/or generate new, RNA-seq and genome data of medicinal plants to investigate their metabolism with a suite of analytical, biochemical, bioinformatic and molecular genetic approaches.

Our long-term goal is to deliver biotechnologies that produce and/or customize high-value phytochemicals. These will allow sustainable alternatives complementing chemical extraction from plants or synthesis from petrochemicals.

EDUCATION

• Postdoctoral research | biochemistry: John Innes Centre, UK | 2015-2018
  • EMBO long-term postdoctoral fellow | 2015-2017
• PhD study | biochemistry: University of Calgary, Canada | 2009-2014
  • Alberta Innovate Technology Futures Scholarship (Alberta Ingenuity Fund Scholarship) | 2009-2012
  • University of Calgary Chancellor’s Challenge Graduate Scholarship and Eyes High International Doctoral Scholarship | 2013-2014
  • University of Calgary's Gene Huber Best PhD Thesis in Biological Sciences Award | 2014
• MSc study | plant developmental physiology: University of Calgary, Canada | 2006 - 2008
• BSc study | biotechnology: Viet Nam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam | 2001 - 2005

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

(Full list of publications can be found at: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6459-3664)

• TTT Dang, Franke J, Carqueijeiro IST, Langley C, Courdavault V, O'Connor SE (2018). Sarpagan bridge enzyme has substrate-controlled cyclization and aromatization modes. Nature Chemical Biology 14:760. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-018-0078-4
• TTT Dang, Franke J, Tatsis E, O'Connor SE (2017). Dual catalytic activity of a cytochrome P450 controls bifurcation at a metabolic branch point of alkaloid biosynthesis in Rauwolfia serpentina. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 56:9440. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201705010
• TTT Dang, Chen X, Facchini PJ (2015). Acetylation serves as a protective group in noscapine biosynthesis in opium poppy. Nature Chemical Biology 11:104. https://doi.org/10.1038/nchembio.1717
• TTT Dang, Facchini PJ (2014). CYP82Y1 is N-methylcanadine 1-hydroxylase, a key noscapine biosynthetic enzyme in opium poppy. Journal of Biological Chemistry 289:2013. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M113.505099
• TTT Dang, Onoyovwi AK, Farrow SC, Facchini PJ (2012). Biochemical genomics for gene discovery in benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis in opium poppy and related species. Methods in Enzymology 515:231. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-394290-6.00011-2
• TTT Dang, Facchini PJ (2012). Characterization of three O-methyltransferases involved in noscapine biosynthesis in opium poppy. Plant Physiology 159:618 https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.112.194886
• TTT Dang, Yeung EC, Chinnappa CC (2009). Differences in cellular structure regulate stem elongation of alpine and prairie ecotypes of Stellaria longipes grown under two contrasting temperature regimes. Botany 87:1167. https://doi.org/10.1139/B09-077