James J. Collins, Ph.D.

Professor, Biomedical Engineering
University Professor
The Collins Lab
Center for BioDynamics
Wyss Institute, Harvard University
Ph.D., Medical Engineering, University of Oxford
A.B., Physics, College of the Holy Cross
Email: jcollins@bu.edu
Phone: (617) 353-0390
Office: ERB 307

Research Interests

Synthetic biology; systems biology; noise-enhanced sensorimotor function.

Current Research

Dr. Collins’ research focuses on developing nonlinear dynamical techniques and devices to characterize, improve and mimic biological function. His specific interests include: (1) modeling, designing and constructing synthetic gene networks; (2) reverse engineering naturally occurring gene regulatory networks; and (3) developing noise-based sensory prosthetics.

Selected Recent Publications

Allison K, Brynildsen M, Collins JJ “Metabolite-enabled Eradication of Bacterial Persisters by Aminoglycosides” Nature. 473: 216-220. (12 May 2011)

Lee H, Molla M, Cantor C, Collins JJ “Bacterial Charity Work Leads to Population-Wide Resistance” Nature. 467: 82-86 (2010)

Kohanski M, DePristo M, Collins JJ “Sublethal Antibiotic Treatment Leads to Multidrug Resistance via Radical-Induced Mutagenesis” Molecular Cell. 37: 311-320 (2010)

Friedland A, Lu T, Wang X, Shi D, Church G, Collins JJ “Synthetic Gene Networks That Count” Science. 324: 1199-1202 (2009)

Ellis T, Wang X, Collins JJ “Diversity-based, Model-guided Construction of Synthetic Gene Networks with Predicted Functions” Nature Biotechnology. 27 (5): 465-471 (2009)

Dwyer D, Kohanski M, Collins JJ “Networking Opportunities for Bacteria” Cell. 135: 1153-1156 (2008)

Kohanski M, Dwyer D, Wierzbowski J, Cottarel G, Collins JJ “Mistranslation of Membrane Proteins and Two-Component System Activation Trigger Antibiotic-Mediated Cell Death” Cell. 135: 679-690 (2008)

Kohanski MA, Dwyer DJ, Hayete B, Lawrence CA and Collins JJ “A Common Mechanism of Cellular Death Induced by Bactericidal Antibiotics” Cell. 130: 797-810 (2007)

Deans TL, Cantor CR and Collins JJ “A Tunable Genetic Switch Based on RNAi and Repressor Proteins for Regulating Gene Expression in Mammalian Cells” Cell. 130: 363-372 (2007)