Materials Synthesis via Electromicrobiology with Electrochemical Cofactor Regeneration
Abstract
Although synthetic biology has been successful for the synthesis of a variety of molecules, it is challenging for producing complex molecules and materials, because of the size constraints. One method to biosynthesize large and complex materials is to produce them extracellularly, avoiding any alteration of cell growth or cell viability. This would also minimize issues with the separation of materials from cell lysate. However, enzymes are not particularly stable in solution, andenzymes require expensive cofactors for function. Herein, we propose to address these two issues by utilizing surface-display technology to induce model microorganisms to continually produce and display enzyme pathways on the outer surface of the microorganism. The microorganisms will also be engineered to produce phenazines for inexpensive electrochemical cofactor regeneration. This grant proposes to combine protein surface-display techniques and electrochemical cofactor regeneration to allow for the microbial production of metal nanoparticles and complex polymers. This new bioprocessing system would be used as a proof-of-concept that surface-display and electrochemical cofactor regeneration can be utilized for synthetic biological production of other complex molecules and materials. This allows for new bionanomanufacturing strategies for DoD.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 04, 2020
- Source ID
- N000142114008
Entities
People
- Shelley D. Minteer
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Utah