Advanced synthetic biology tools for environmental bacteria

Abstract

Modern synthetic biology approaches are almost exclusively applied to a handful of laboratory microorganisms including Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. While these organisms have been critical to our understanding of a range of fundamental metabolic processes they lack key metabolic capabilities. Environmental bacteria have a wide range of activities not present in model laboratory organisms, including the ability to transport electrons to extracellular electron acceptors. Here we propose to build on developed techniques that have enabled high efficiency genome editing in the model electro-active bacterium Shewanella oneidensis.Specifically, we will leverage genome editing methods to quantify genetic requirements for electron transfer to a range of substrates. The tools and methodologies developed here will help bring modern synthetic biology approaches to non-model organisms.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Apr 29, 2020
Source ID
N000142012196

Entities

People

  • Jeffrey A Gralnick

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • Regents of the University of Minnesota
  • United States Navy

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Microbial Pathology
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Microelectronics