Microbe Rewiring Technique Pioneered By Berkeley Lab
A remarkable accomplishment has been observed by Berkeley Lab’s researchers in successfully transforming a bacterium to generate the required compound with CRISPR gene editing and computational modeling.
This method could be a game-changer for recombinant DNA technology in different research and development sectors, accelerating the production of advanced biogenic goods like renewable fuels and plastic substitutes. Employing machine algorithms, the rewiring technique mainly focuses on specific genes and their gene regulation to enhance the release of the compound of interest.
Even nowadays, empirical studies are adopted by many researchers to explore ameliorative strategies in genetic engineering. Moreover, the genetically modified microbe was only able to manufacture the required product in the surplus amount after a period of growth. This results in delaying the process and squandering of energy.
The competent microbe rewiring technique or “product/substrate pairing” forces the microbe to produce the targeted compound the whole time by connecting with its metabolic activity.
Genetic modification with indigoidine gene was carried on Pseudomonas putida- a budding soil microbe host-to evaluate the performance in the production of the blue pigment. Over 63 approaches were verified systematically for the advantageous phenotype, out of which only one
was viable. Later on, to halt the translation of 14 genes, CRISPR interference(CRISPi) was applied in compliance with the computer algorithms.Deepanwita Banerjee, a scholar and co-head writer at Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), under Berkeley Lab, stated that they were elated to observe the high yielding genetic variant. The present norm is to extensively focus on a single gene at a time. Among the former experiments reported, only one directed six simultaneous gene modification. She also spoke of the significance of CRISPRi in elevating the number of parallel alterations, paving a path for computational optimization to bring a tremendous transition.
Industrial bio-production can be expedited with the novel microbe rewiring technique as mentioned by Thomas Eng, a co-lead author, and JBEI scientist. He also added that it is intimidating to look at the prolonged labor and investigative period for the formulation of artemisinin or 1-3, butanediol. Furthermore, this approach will be a boon to future bioeconomy.
Berkeley Lab’s research aim on other specific products like isopentenol, a suitable biofuel; part of flame-retardant items; and substitute for petroleum derivatives in factories. Several other research teams utilize this protocol to develop progressive medicines.
The multidimensional technique of microbe rewiring leads to its triumph. Conscientious genetic manipulation and computational simulations along with collaborations from the Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit (ABPDU) proved that their method expressed favorable attributes at a high production level as claimed by the vice president of the biofuels and bioproducts division and director of the host engineering group at JBEI, Principal investigator Aindrilla Mukhopadhyay. Besides this, she also referred to another association with the Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute to distinguish and sequence the particular genetic variant. She promises several pertaining alliances to explore the economic value of their optimizations and understand gravely regarding product/substrate pairing.
Author: Geema George
