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Dr. Bernard Y. Tao

Professor

B.S. and M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ph.D., Iowa State University

Research

Biocatalysis and the use of recombinant genetic mutagenesis to explore the modification of carbohydrate enzymes and biochemical conversion of natural materials to make industrial products.

Teaching

Undergraduate

Introductory thermodynamics and ethics

Graduate

Protein chemistry and biotechnology

Background

Bernie also has a strong interest in science education for young students and has developed K-9 hands-on science kits highlighting the use of safe, natural materials in teaching chemistry, physics and biology. Bernie received the National Utilization Research Award from the American Soybean Board in 1996, ASAE Blue Ribbon Awards for Educational Aids, Computer Division in 1992 and 1993 and the Agricultural Engineering Department's Best Teacher Award in 1993. He is a Counselor to the Institute of Biological Engineering, a member of the Ag. Genetics and Technology, Indiana Business Modernization & Technology Program, and has previously served as board member/coordinator/technical session chairs in the ACS, AICHE and ASEE. Bernie also puts a high value on research experiences for younger students. His sponsorship of three award-winning 1st place undergraduate research teams has resulted cash awards to students exceeding $15,000 and patents/commercialized products, both nationally and internationally. He has also sponsored over 30 undergraduate research projects, five National Science Foundation Young Scholars, and four high school science projects.

Selected Publications

Tao, B. Y., Biofuels - Opportunity of the Century, Biotech, in press

Tao, B. Y., Biomass, McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 8th Edition, 2000

Allen D. K. and B. Y. Tao, Carbohydrate-alkyl ester derivatives as biosurfactants, J. Surfactants Deterg. 2: (3) 383-390, 1999.

Han, N. and B. Y. Tao, A Simple Method to Express Soluble, Highly Active Cyclodextrin Glycosyltransferase in Recombinant E. coli, Biotechnology Techniques (13) 631-635, 1999.

Han, N. and B. Y. Tao, Enhancement of Solubility of Bacillus macerans Cyclodextrin Glucanotransferase by Thioredoxin Fusion, Food Science and Biotechnology, 1999 276-279.

Han, N. and B. Y. Tao, Detection of native and recombinant Bacillus macerans Cyclodextrin Glycosyltransferase using microtiter ELISA techniques, Enzyme and Microbial Technology 24:35-40, 1999.

Wang, P. and B. Y. Tao, Soy Fatty Acid Oxidation with Sodium Hypochlorite Monitored by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, J.Am. Oil Chem. Soc., 1998 (75) 9-14.

Han, N. S. and Tao, B. Y. Purification of Bacillus macerans cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase by immunoaffinity chromatography. Starch/Staerke 1997, 49, 111-115.

Tao, B. Y., Industrial Applications for Soybeans, 25th ACHEMA, Frankfort, Germany, June, 1997

Han, N., K. C. P Lee, and B. Y. Tao, Cloning, Overexpression and Immunological Detection/Purification of Recombinant B. macerans Cyclodextrin Glycosyltransferase in E. coli, Proceedings of the 4th Asia-Pacific Biochemical Engineering Conference, 1997. Beijing, China

Contact Dr. Tao
e-mail: tao@ecn.purdue.edu

Address:
Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering
1146 ABE Building
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 47907-1146 Phone: (765) 494-1183