Professor Lars Nielsen
Professor

Lars Nielsen

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 63986

Background

Professor Lars Nielsen is leading the development of experimental and computational tools to analyse and design complex biological systems. His expertise in metabolic modelling and flux analysis is available nowhere else in Australia – and in few labs across the world. Professor Nielsen’s studies of biological systems as diverse as bacteria, baker's yeast, sugarcane, insects and mammals has attracted industrial partnerships with companies including Dow, Metabolix, Amyris, LanzaTech, Boeing, Virgin Australia and GE. These metabolic engineering partnerships have focussed on developing new ways of producing aviation fuel, various materials and bioactives (antibiotics, biopesticides, monoclonal antibodies). Professor Nielsen is also applying system analysis and design approaches to tissue engineering including novel strategies for generating microtissues for drug screening and using stem cells to produce red and white blood cells for transfusion.

International links

Professor Nielsen collaborates with some of the world’s pre-eminent metabolic engineers. A joint project with Prof Sang Yup Lee (KAIST, Korea) enabled several extended mutual visits to explore use of sugar for higher value products. A separate project focused on producing synthetic aviation fuel based on isoprenoids involves Professor Nielsen collaborating with global synthetic biotechnology company Amyris and leading isoprenoid metabolic engineer Professor Jay Keasling, from UC Berkeley. Professor Nielsen has secured $8million since 2006 from industry through research grants with US, European, Japanese, Korean, New Zealand and Australian companies.

Availability

Professor Lars Nielsen is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Industrial biotechnology Microbiology

Qualifications

  • Masters (Coursework), Technical University of Denmark
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research impacts

Research

Systems and synthetic biology. Professor Nielsen is dedicated to both the advancement of bioengineering science and its application to specific problems. Using thermodynamic principles, novel approaches are developed for handling complex, transient dynamics in developing tissue as well as rational design of complex pathways. These novel approaches are used in the design of bioprocesses as diverse as the production of blood cells for transfusion and the production of industrial biopolymers.

Memberships, patents and funding

Professor Nielsen has been granted four patents – two in stem cells and another two in metabolic engineering. He is on the Scientific Advisory Board of InSphero (2009–), a Swiss company commercialising microtissue technology originating in the Nielsen laboratory. He is an editorial board member of ACS Synthetic Biology, Metabolic Engineering, Biotechnology Journal, Biotechnology and Bioengineering and Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering. Professor Nielsen formed and chaired the 2005 CRC SIIB Industrial Biotechnology Panel to develop an industrial biotechnology strategy for the Australian sugar industry. He successfully lobbied for the inclusion of Industrial Biotechnology in the Queensland Biotechnology Strategic Plan 2005-2015. Since then he has served as expert advisor to government, research bodies, domestic and major international companies such as Dow Chemical, DuPont and GS Caltex. In the past decade, he has been part of successful research grant applications totalling $56 million, with $31.2 million for his own systems and synthetic biology group at AIBN.

Awards and plenaries

Professor Nielsen has received the UQ Foundation Research Excellence Award; and the Australian Institute of Political Science Queensland Young Tall Poppy Award. He was invited to speak at the 2010 Science at the Shine Dome Symposium on Genomics & Mathematics, Canberra; and the Australian Academy of Technical Sciences & Engineering’s National Symposium on Future-Proofing Australia.

Search Professor Lars Nielsen’s works on UQ eSpace

388 works between 1991 and 2024
All (388) Journal Article (285) Book Chapter (15) Conference Publication (85) Other Outputs (3)

341 - 360 of 388 works

2005

Journal Article

Emulsion strategies in the microencapsulation of cells: Pathways to thin coherent membranes

Leung, A, Ramaswamy, Y, Munro, P, Lawrie, G, Nielsen, L and Trau, M (2005). Emulsion strategies in the microencapsulation of cells: Pathways to thin coherent membranes. Biotechnology And Bioengineering, 92 (1), 45-53. doi: 10.1002/bit.20597

Emulsion strategies in the microencapsulation of cells: Pathways to thin coherent membranes

2005

Journal Article

Modeling hybridoma cell metabolism using a generic genome-scale metabolic model of Mus musculus

Sheikh, K. M., Forster, J. and Nielsen, L. K. (2005). Modeling hybridoma cell metabolism using a generic genome-scale metabolic model of Mus musculus. Biotechnology Progress, 21 (1), 112-121. doi: 10.1021/bp0498138

Modeling hybridoma cell metabolism using a generic genome-scale metabolic model of Mus musculus

2005

Journal Article

Properties of a unique mutant of Helicoverpa armigera single-nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus that exhibits a partial many polyhedra and few polyhedra phenotype on extended serial passaging in suspension cell cultures

Pedrini, Marcia R. S., Nielsen, Lars K., Reid, Steven and Chan, Leslie C. L. (2005). Properties of a unique mutant of Helicoverpa armigera single-nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus that exhibits a partial many polyhedra and few polyhedra phenotype on extended serial passaging in suspension cell cultures. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Animal, 41 (8-9), 289-297. doi: 10.1290/0503019R.1

Properties of a unique mutant of Helicoverpa armigera single-nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus that exhibits a partial many polyhedra and few polyhedra phenotype on extended serial passaging in suspension cell cultures

2005

Conference Publication

Development of sugarcane as a biofactory for biopolymers

Brumbley, S. M., Purnell, M. P., Petrasovits, L. A., McQualter, R., Fong Chong, B., Meyer, K., Van Dyk, D. E., O'Shea, M. G., Walton, N. J., Nielsen, L. K. and Viitanen, P. V. (2005). Development of sugarcane as a biofactory for biopolymers. The Second World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing: Linking Biotechnology, Chemistry and Agriculture to Create New Value Chains, Orlando, FL, USA, 20–22 April 2005.

Development of sugarcane as a biofactory for biopolymers

2004

Journal Article

Identification of three gene candidates for multicellular resistance in colon carcinoma

Timmins, N. E., Maguire, T. L., Grimmond, S. M. and Nielsen, L. K. (2004). Identification of three gene candidates for multicellular resistance in colon carcinoma. Cytotechnology, 46 (1), 9-18. doi: 10.1007/s10616-005-1476-5

Identification of three gene candidates for multicellular resistance in colon carcinoma

2004

Journal Article

Hanging-drop multicellular spheriods as a model of tumour angiogenesis

Timmins, N. E., Dietmair, S. and Nielsen, L. K. (2004). Hanging-drop multicellular spheriods as a model of tumour angiogenesis. Angiogenesis, 7 (2), 97-103. doi: 10.1007/s10456-004-8911-7

Hanging-drop multicellular spheriods as a model of tumour angiogenesis

2004

Conference Publication

Development Of sugarcane as a biofactory for biopolymers

Brumbley, S. M., Purnell, M. P., Petrasovits, L. A., McQualter, R., Fong Chong, B., Meyer, K., Van Dyk, D. E. and Nielsen, L. K. (2004). Development Of sugarcane as a biofactory for biopolymers. International Symposium on Biological Polyesters (ISBP 2004), Beijing, China, 22-28 August 2004.

Development Of sugarcane as a biofactory for biopolymers

2004

Journal Article

Design of artificial myocardial microtissues

Kelm, J. M., Ehler, E., Nielsen, L. K., Schlatter, S., Perriard, J. C. and Fussenegger, M. (2004). Design of artificial myocardial microtissues. Tissue Engineering, 10 (1-2), 201-214. doi: 10.1089/107632704322791853

Design of artificial myocardial microtissues

2004

Conference Publication

Development of sugarcane as a biofactory for biopolymers

Brumbley, Stevens M., Purnell, Matt P., Petrasovits, Lars A., O'Shea, Michael G. and Nielsen, Lars K. (2004). Development of sugarcane as a biofactory for biopolymers. Plant & Animal Genomes XII Conference, San Diego, U.S., 10-14 January 2004. San Deigo, California, U.S.: GenomeWeb.

Development of sugarcane as a biofactory for biopolymers

2003

Journal Article

Method for generation of homogeneous multicellular tumor spheroids applicable to a wide variety of cell types

Kelm, Jens M., Timmins, Nicholas E., Brown, Catherine J., Fussenegger, Martin and Nielsen, Lars K. (2003). Method for generation of homogeneous multicellular tumor spheroids applicable to a wide variety of cell types. Biotechnology And Bioengineering, 83 (2), 173-180. doi: 10.1002/bit.10655

Method for generation of homogeneous multicellular tumor spheroids applicable to a wide variety of cell types

2003

Conference Publication

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates in sugarcane

Brumbley, S. M., Petrasovits, L., Purnell, M., O'Shea, M. and Nielsen, L (2003). Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates in sugarcane. 6th Asia Pacific Biochemical Engineering Conference (APBioChEC): Harnessing New Technology for Bioprocess Development, Brisbane, Australia, 30 November- 4 December 2003.

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates in sugarcane

2003

Journal Article

Sensitivity of Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus polyhedra to sodium dodecyl sulfate

Lua, L. H. L., Nielsen, L. K. and Reid, S. (2003). Sensitivity of Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus polyhedra to sodium dodecyl sulfate. Biological Control, 26 (1), 57-67. doi: 10.1016/S1049-9644(02)00116-0

Sensitivity of Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus polyhedra to sodium dodecyl sulfate

2003

Conference Publication

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates in sugarcane

Brumbley, S. M., Petrasovits, L. A., Bonaventura, P. A., O'Shea, M. J., Purnell, M. P. and Nielsen, L. K. (2003). Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates in sugarcane. 4th ISSCT Molecular Biology Workshop, Montpelier, France, 7-14 April, 2003.

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates in sugarcane

2003

Journal Article

Amplifying the cellular reduction potential of Streptococcus zooepidemicus

Chong, B. F. and Nielsen, L. K. (2003). Amplifying the cellular reduction potential of Streptococcus zooepidemicus. Journal of Biotechnology, 100 (1), 33-41. doi: 10.1016/S0168-1656(02)00239-0

Amplifying the cellular reduction potential of Streptococcus zooepidemicus

2003

Conference Publication

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates in sugarcane

Brumbley, S. M., Petrasovits, L. A., Bonaventura, P. A., O'Shea, M. J., Purnell, M. P. and Nielsen, L. K. (2003). Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates in sugarcane. IVth International Workshop on Plant Biotechnology and Sustainable Development (BioVeg2003), Ciego de Avila, Cuba, 14-19 April 2003.

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates in sugarcane

2003

Journal Article

Aerobic cultivation of Streptococcus zooepidemicus and the role of NADH oxidase

Fong Chong, B. and Nielsen, L. K. (2003). Aerobic cultivation of Streptococcus zooepidemicus and the role of NADH oxidase. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 16 (2), 153-162. doi: 10.1016/S1369-703X(03)00031-7

Aerobic cultivation of Streptococcus zooepidemicus and the role of NADH oxidase

2003

Journal Article

Quantitative prediction of phase diagrams for polymer partitioning in aqueous two-phase systems

Croll, T., Munro, P. D., Winzor, D. J., Trau, M. and Nielsen, L. K. (2003). Quantitative prediction of phase diagrams for polymer partitioning in aqueous two-phase systems. Journal of Polymer Science Part B-polymer Physics, 41 (5), 437-443. doi: 10.1002/polb.10402

Quantitative prediction of phase diagrams for polymer partitioning in aqueous two-phase systems

2003

Journal Article

Analysis of the phase behavior of the aqueous poly(ethylene glycol)-Ficoll system

Croll, T., Munro, P., Winzor, D. J., Trau, M. and Nielsen, L. K. (2003). Analysis of the phase behavior of the aqueous poly(ethylene glycol)-Ficoll system. Biotechnology Progress, 19 (4), 1269-1273. doi: 10.1021/bp025711a

Analysis of the phase behavior of the aqueous poly(ethylene glycol)-Ficoll system

2002

Journal Article

Kinetics of baculovirus replication and release using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction

Rosinski, Matthew, Reid, Steven and Nielsen, Lars Keld (2002). Kinetics of baculovirus replication and release using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Biotechnology And Bioengineering, 77 (4), 476-480. doi: 10.1002/bit.10126

Kinetics of baculovirus replication and release using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction

2002

Conference Publication

Application of biotechnology for future sugar industry diversification

Brumbley, S. M., Petrasovits, L., Purnell, M., O'Shea, M. G., Geijskes, J., Prakash Lakshmanan, Smith, G. R. and Nielsen, L. K. (2002). Application of biotechnology for future sugar industry diversification. 2002 Conference of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, 29 April - 2 May, 2002. PK Editorial Services Pty Ltd.

Application of biotechnology for future sugar industry diversification

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2028
    Bioplatforms Australia (BPA) NCRIS 2022 administered by Bioplatforms Australia Ltd
    Bioplatforms Australia Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    Development of reagents for blood product safety
    Australian Red Cross Society
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    From trash to treasure: engineering waste carbon utilisation in yeast (administered by Macquarie University)
    Macquarie University
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2027
    ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology (ARC Centre of Excellence administered by Macquarie University)
    Macquarie University
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2024
    BioPlatforms Australia (BPA) Queensland Co-Investment (RICF)
    Bioplatforms Australia Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2025
    Collaboration on Industrial Biotechnology
    Technical University of Denmark
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2024
    Bioplatforms Australia Project - Metabolomics (Commonwealth NCRIS 2013 (2013-2023) grant administered by Macquarie University via Bioplatforms Australia Ltd)
    Bioplatforms Australia Ltd
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2024
    Synthetic Biology for Synthesis of Novel Polymers Used in Energy Storage
    Commonwealth Defence Science and Technology Group
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2023
    ARC Training Centre for Biopharmaceutical Innovation
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Improving clostridial toxoid production through molecular fermentation maps
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Developing an integrated systems and synthetic biology platform to expand the product spectrum of acetogens
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A sensitive, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer with nanoUPLC system for qualitative and quantitative biomolecule analysis.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Building a Gas Fermentation Facility for the Production of Fuels and Chemicals
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    A unique model platform for C4 plant systems and synthetic biology
    United States Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Toward sustainable diesel production using microbial cells: unravelling isoprenoid pathway regulation through systems biology
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Emerging Biomolecular Platforms and Informatics Project (CRIS grant administered by Macquarie University via Bioplatforms Australian Ltd (BPA))
    Bioplatforms Australia Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Sustainable Dollar Notes and Other Polypropylenes from Bioderived Feedstocks
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Transforming greenhouse gases into fuels and chemicals: A systems approach
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Reconstruction of a Genome Scale Model
    LanzaTech New Zealand Limited
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Transforming industrial greenhouse gas emissions into useful chemicals: a systems biology approach
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Clostridial Systems Biology
    Zoetis Australia Research and Manufacturing Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Plant Fluxomics Platform to understand the interplay of plant metabolic networks
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2019
    Stem Cells Australia (ARC Special Research Initiative administered by the University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Computational systems biology: understanding mammalian cell fates using genome-scale network models
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Mass spectrometer for biomolecule discovery, structural analysis and quantification.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Multichannel potentiostats to drive microbial and electrochemical production processes
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2014
    Metabolomics Australia - Queensland Node
    Queensland Government Smart Futures Co-Investment Fund
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Sponsored Research Agreement (Microbes)
    Dow Chemical Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2015
    Redirecting Carbon Flow through Mesophyll and Bundle Sheath Cells of Sugarcane to Produce Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Sponsored Research Agreement (Plants -Plant Cell Fluxomics)
    Dow Chemical Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2014
    Queensland Sustainable Aviation Fuel Initiative
    Queensland Government Smart State National and International Research Alliances Program
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    From Genotype to Phenotype - Systems Biology Bridging the Gap
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Rapid and high-resolution nanocharacterisation of proteins, nanoparticles and polymers
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Defining the oxygen and redox conditions for human cord blood stem cell expansion
    Inner Wheel Australia Incorporated
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Building a Systems Biology Platform for the Production of a Vaccine to Prevent Enterotoxaemia
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Production of Neutrophils (ASCC Collaborative Stream 1 - Module 4)
    Australian Stem Cell Centre
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Process Modelling Applicable to Biofuels
    Queensland Government Smart Futures Partnerships-Alliances Facilitation Program
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Queensland Bio Jet Fuel Initiative
    Queensland Government Smart Futures Partnerships-Alliances Facilitation Program
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Evaluation of Fermentation Targets
    Dow Chemical Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    In-Vitro Production of Baculovirus Biopesticides - A Systems Biology Approach
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2012
    Korea-Australia Bio-Product Alliance
    Queensland Government Smart State National and International Research Alliances Program
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Ex vivo generated allogeneic neutrophils for anti-infective supportive care in acute leukaemia
    Australian Stem Cell Centre
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2012
    Implementing an Investment Plan for the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy's Research Capability known as 'Evolving Biomolecular Platforms and Informatics' (administered by BPA)
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    High Mw Hyaluronic Acid (Wendy Chen)
    CRC for Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2012
    National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) - Capability Area 5.1 Evolving Bio-molecular Platforms and Informatics (Sub-capability - Metabolomics)
    National Collaborative Infrastructure Strategy - Queensland Government Contribution
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Optimization of hyaluronic acid production by fermentation of the strain streptococcus Equi
    Novozymes A/S
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    Ex vivo production of neutrophils
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2010
    The Production of PHB/PHAs in Plants
    CRC for Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Neutrophil Pilot Project
    Australian Red Cross Blood Service
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    EX VIVO PRODUCTION OF MATURE RED BLOOD CELLS FOR TRANSFUSION
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    Biorefinery
    CRC for Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Reduced nitrogen requirements in lactic acid production using Streptococcus bovis
    Toyota Motor Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2005
    Metabolic engineering of sugarcane: production of a biodegradable bioplastic as a test-case
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) Production in Sugarcane
    Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Determining intracellular metabolic fluxes in animal cell culture.
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 2000
    To develop the theoretical framework of ME of HA production
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Understanding and Resolving the Problem of Poor Transduction Efficiency Observed in Retroviral Gene Therapy.
    UQ Foundation
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Metabolic Engineering of Hyaluronic Acid Production
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Self-assembled membranes for protection of foreign tissue transplants
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Understanding and resolving the problem of poor transduction efficiency observed in retroviral gene therapy
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Lars Nielsen is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Lars Nielsen directly for media enquiries about:

  • Engineering - biological
  • Metabolic engineering
  • Synthetic biology

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