Effective redirection of carbon at specific metabolic nodes requires a suite of tools that can deliver useful outcomes under a wide variety of different conditions.
In this program we develop synthetic biology tools that control gene expression at different hierarchical levels (transcription, translation, protein stability, etc.) and at the individual gene and network levels. We are focussed on isoprenoids (terpenes/terpenoids) as a model production system to investigate these challenges. To control carbon flux at specific metabolic nodes for delivery of different classes of isoprenoids we have developed a variety of molecular tools that can be used to redirect metabolism at metabolic nodes. These include co-location of pathway enzymes using scaffolds (including nano-compartments) to alleviate toxicity effects, increase titres, and alter the product profile of promiscuous enzymes, protein-based biosensors to understand metabolite accumulation, and HapAmp – a method that uses haploinsufficiency as evolutionary force to drive in vivo gene amplification for increased gene dosage. Here we will explore these tools and their application for metabolic engineering of isoprenoid production pathways. Using these approaches, we can effectively control and balance metabolism to deliver g/L titres of target isoprenoids.
Program Leads
Research projects
- IspH control of IPP and DMAPP ratios in the MEP pathway
- Protein-based biosensors for key sub-cellular metabolites and industrial target molecules
- Production of plant hormones (strigolactones) in microbes
- Virus-like particles as bespoke bioreactor nanocompartments
- Exploring cell-free isoprenoid production
- Agrobacterium 2.0
- Biomass to Bio-oils with Yarrowia lipolytica
- Industrial metabolism and biocatalysis