Project dates: 01/10/2010 - 30/09/2027
Isoprenoids are one of the most diverse families of natural compounds that fulfill a myriad of biological functions in all free-living organisms as primary metabolites but also specie-specific secondary metabolites. Among this family of more than 80.000 different compounds many of them are of industrial interest as biofuels, fragrances, flavours, agricultural chemicals, or food additives and some have beneficial effects on human health as nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals, but their sources are scarce, or its production implies environmental damage. Biotechnology represents an alternative approach to isoprenoid production, but optimization of the processes is required to achieve desirable yields. We are developing a new platform of microbial chassis optimization to boost productivity of desired compounds using directed evolution driven by real time sensing and sorting of best producers based on dedicated aptamer biosensors.