徐健主要研究微生物以CO2或纤维素为碳源通过整合生物加工（CBP）路线合成生物燃料的机制。首先，以微拟球藻（Nannochloropsis spp.）为模式，阐明微藻固碳产油的遗传和进化机制，揭示微藻转化光与CO2为甘油三酯的时空调控网络，并提出了属内精确种质鉴定新策略。其次，以厌氧梭菌(Clostridium spp.)为模式，揭示首个高温下碳源代谢基因网络，并阐明了纤维素降解、戊糖己糖共利用等关键性状的调控原理与微进化机制。此外，还建立了富有特色的单细胞分析与元基因组技术平台。2008年组建独立实验室以来已作为通讯作者在Plant Cell、PLoS Genetics、ISME J等发表论文22篇。为了在更“深”层面理解和调控上述生物过程，本项目将结合单细胞分析仪器等方法学创新，以“单细胞尺度”纤维素降解模型的构建为突破口，于2018年初步建立“单细胞过程工程”的理论基础和使能技术。

The scientific endeavors of XU Jian mainly target the mechanisms of microbial conversion of carbon dioxide or cellulose to biofuels via Consolidated Bioprocessing. (i) Employing Nannochloropsis spp. as a research model, he elucidated the genetic basis and evolutionary mechanism of oleaginousness in photosynthetic microalgae. He further uncovered the first spatiotemporal model of the gene network underlying the microalgal conversion of solar energy and carbon dioxide to triacylglycerol (i.e. the ‘oil’). In addition, he proposed a new strategy for high-resolution strain-typing of microalgae. (ii) Using anaerobic Clostridium spp. as models, he unraveled the first thermophilic gene network underlying carbon utilization. He has also elucidated the molecular mechanisms that underlie the function and microevolution of key traits such as cellulose degradation and the co-utilization of pentose and hexose. (iii) He has also established a technological platform called “Single-cell Analysis and Metagenomics” that is supporting many collaborative explorations. Since founding his own lab in 2008, he has published as corresponding author 22 research publications in prestigious peer-reviewed journals such as Plant Cell、PLoS Genetics、ISME J, Biotech Adv, Biotech Biofuels, etc. A single cell is the atomic unit of function and evolution for lives on earth. In order to dissect and control these bioprocesses at the ‘deeper’ level of single-cells, this proposal aims to establish the first “single-cell model of cellulose degradation” in bacteria by taking advantage of our innovations in single-cell analysis instruments. These efforts are expected to provide the theoretical foundation and several key enabling technologies for “Single-cell Bioprocess Engineering” by 2018.