以具有重要基础和应用价值的微生物来源（特别是放线菌）天然产物为研究对象，从分子遗传学、生物化学和化学生物学角度探索其生物合成机理，回答其生物合成过程中的一些关键科学问题，为新药的合成生物学研发提供精确的“分子装配线路图”。在此基础上，通过其代谢途径的理性设计和人工优化，有的放矢地进行微生物药物的创新和高产。
DNA编辑新技术（如CRISPR/Cas9）的机理探索以及综合运用这些技术进行生物合成基因（簇）的高效克隆和编辑。
Microorganisms especially Actinomycetes produce a myriad array of bioactive compounds representing a vast diversity of fascinating molecular architecture. Our research concentrates on the discovery, characterization and engineering of the biosynthesis involved in these secondary metabolites. Blending molecular genetics, biochemistry and synthetic biology, we take a multidisciplinary approach to elucidate the biosynthetic mechanism of these bioactive microbial metabolites. Examples include: Gentamicin, Azalomycin F, Streptovaricin etc. By more closely defining the molecular enzymology of these pathways, eventually, we can manipulate natural biosynthetic machinery for the over-production and creation of novel microbial drugs.