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Project

Next-generation bioprocess engineering: phage-based synthetic reprogramming of bacterial bioreactor populations

In this proposal, we will interface synthetic biology, gene regulatory modeling and population dynamics modeling to establish and standardize novel and tunable tools to genetically reprogram bacterial populations. More specifically, we will focus (i) on phage mediated transduction as highly efficient way to transmit a genetic instruction throughout a bacterial population, (ii) on the design of synthetic circuitry that imposes staged genetic instructions to the cells (facilitating growth, production and harvesting), and (iii) on the construction of a population balance model equipped with genetic circuitry and metabolic pathways that computes optimal phage and circuitry tuning and bioprocessing conditions. The elaborated transmission-tool, genetic circuitries, and modeling approaches will provide a novel platform to dynamically trigger expression of desired proteins (nanobodies) throughout bioreactor populations, and will lay the basis for an even broader venue to reach and instruct bacterial populations in their natural and often difficultly accessible habitats.

Date:1 Jan 2022 →  Today
Keywords:bacterial bioreactor populations
Disciplines:Industrial microbiology, Bacteriology, Bioprocessing, bioproduction and bioproducts, Modelling, simulation and optimisation, (Bio)chemical reactors