Jason C.H. Shih

Educational Background:

• B.S. (1963) Botany, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
• M.S. (1966) Biochemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
• Ph.D. (1973) Biochemistry/Nutrition, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
• Postdoctorate (1975) Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL

Teaching Interests:

• NTR 560 Nutrition and Biotechnology

Research Interests:

A thermophilic anaerobic digester (TAnD): A bioprocess called TAnD was invented and developed from the laboratory to the farm. The process can convert animal wastes into biogas fuel and other nutrient resources. It is simple in construction and efficient in operation. A full-scale demonstration on a commercial farm is in progress.

Keratinase technology: A feather-degrading bacterium was discovered and isolated from TAnD. Its keratinase and the gene encoding the enzyme were isolated and sequenced. Genetic engineering and fermentation have been accomplished to improve the production of the enzyme. Application research has demonstrated that the keratinase can improve feed efficiency and degrade prion protein.

Representative Publications:

• Shih, J. C. H., 1997. Application of Biotechnology in Converting Waste to Resources and Environmental Protection. China Biogas (published in China), 15: 7-9.
• Shih, J. C. H., 1999. Animal Studies of virus-induced Atherosclerosis, pp. 25-40 in The Role of Herpesviruses in Atherogenesis, D.P. Hajjar and S. M. Schwartz (eds.), Hardwood Academic Publishers, Amsterdam.
• Wang, J. J. and J. C. H. Shih, 1999. Fermentation Production of Keratinase from Bacillus licheniformis PWD-1 and a Recombinant B. subtilis FDB-29. J. Ind. Microb. Biotech. 22: 608-616.
• Shih, J. C. H., 2001, The keratinase technology: from feather degradation to mad cow disease, International Symposium Addressing Animal Production and Environmental Issues, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, (in press).
• Shih, J. C. H. (1990-present) A total of 9 U.S. and international patents, 7 issued and 2 pending.