Prof. Park has been studying metabolic engineering of microorganisms and their commercial applications. Major interest lies on the production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP), 1,3-propanediol and lactones from renewable raw materials including glucose, glycerol, acetate, CO, etc. Synthesis pathways for target compounds are designed and built in proper host microorganisms and the microorganisms are tested and further engineered by rational and combinatorial approaches in an iterative manner.