Tools for Engineering Non-Growth Metabolism

- Type: Conference Presentation
- Conference Type: AIChE Annual Meeting
- Presentation Date: November 9, 2015
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- PDHs: 0.50
Stationary phase metabolism that is not carbon-limited is ideal for metabolic engineering. Without cell growth, feedstocks can be efficiently converted to product and toxicity that leads to growth-inhibition is irrelevant. However, to date, most metabolic engineering tools have focused on engineering growing cells, with only modest effort being applied to non-growing cells. While there is great promise, non-growth metabolic engineering presents new challenges, as post-translational (e.g., allosteric) enzyme regulation dominates control and is not amenable to analysis by transcriptomics/proteomics or engineering by altering promoters.
Our lab is developing a suite of tools to engineer non-growth metabolism in E. coli. I will discuss computational and experimental efforts to understand, predict, and control non-growth metabolic regulation for optimal biosynthesis. We are developing non-growth metabolic models that accurately reproduce different non-growth conditions and predict metabolic perturbations. These models are complemented by experimental strategies to uncover and overcome condition-specific metabolic regulation. Finally, we are developing next-gen synthetic biology circuits to manage the transition to non-growth and optimize product synthesis. This work should be applicable to a broad range of products and substantially improve process economics by improving titers, yields, and productivity.
Our strategy of model-driven metabolic engineering is deeply rooted in the training experience and research approach from my time in the Stephanopoulos lab. It is an honor to be mentored by Greg, and a pleasure to honor his achievements.
Pricing
Individuals
AIChE Member Credits | 0.5 |
AIChE Members | $19.00 |
AIChE Graduate Student Members | Free |
AIChE Undergraduate Student Members | Free |
Non-Members | $29.00 |