Developing an on-demand microbial biomanufacturing system using bacterial outer membrane vesicles
Abstract
Microbial biomanufacturing is an emerging technology to facilitate the on-demand production of materials in remote locations where supply chain logistics are costly and challenging. In this project, we propose to generate an on-demand, point-of-need microbial manufacturing system of key a key nutritional supplement through the production of extracellular outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). One of the major mechanisms by which microbes communicate with their environment is through the production of OMVs, which are portions of the outer membrane that form and detach from the cell. The overarching goal of this project is to engineer strains of beneficial bacteria that produce and deliver key biopharmaceuticals through the formation and release of OMVs. Previous research has shown that the microgravity environment can increase the size and concentration of OMVs. This project would examine how reduced gravity alters OMV size, abundance, and cargo titer. For proof-of-concept, the nutraceutical beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, will serve as the target OMV cargo molecule. The non-pathogenic Vibrio fischeri will serve as the genetic model organism as it forms a beneficial symbiosis with the bobtail squid. The squid-vibrio symbiosis will serve as a robust bioassay to assess the effectiveness of the OMV-based production and delivery of key bioproducts to host tissues in vivo. Specifically, we propose to 1) engineer non-pathogenic V. fischeri strains to increase the titer and concentration of beta-carotene secreted via OMVs in reduced gravity conditions; 2) improve the OMV capture technology to reduce the biomanufacturing timeline; 3) determine the impact of reduced gravity conditions on OMV cargo content; and 4) examine host tissue uptake of engineered OMVs under reduced gravity conditions. By establishing an OMV-based biomanufacturing system, we will create on-demand products that will lower costs and decrease the mass, volume, and consumable use in remote locations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 2025
- Source ID
- FA95502410296
Entities
People
- Jamie Foster
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Florida