In a new paper in JACS by recent graduate Edward Kalkreuter (now a postdoc at Scripps, Florida), the synthetic scope of a polyketide synthase was expanded by engineering the incorporation of consecutive extender unit substrates. Unexpected downstream bottlenecks were also revealed, identifying new targets for enzyme engineering.
An artificial pathway for isoprenoid biosynthesis
Nature makes isoprenoids via two lengthy routes that are difficult to engineer. In a new publication in ACS Synthetic Biology, Sean Lund and Rachael Hall describe using synthetic biology to develop a third route that is just 2-enzymes long, easy to engineer, and is highly versatile.
New publication!
Recently minted PhD Samantha Meiser Carpenter (now at BASF) describes the substrate promiscuity of a unique trans-acyltransferase from Zwittermicin biosynthesis in ACS Chemical Biology. Her work expands what is known about these ACP-dependent enzymes and suggests new strategies to diversify antibiotics.
Contributions to two RSC books!
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Check out Chapter 11 of “Chemical and Biological Synthesis: Enabling Approaches for Understanding Biology”, for a summary of precursor-directed biosynthesis by Edward Kalkreuter and Samantha Carpenter! In addition, Christian Kasey authored Chapter 8 of the book “Modern Biocatalysis: Advances Towards … Continue reading
New publication in ACS Synthetic Biology!
Congratulations to Christian Kasey (now at Zymergen) for his publication in ACS Synth Biol! The paper describes developing custom biosensors for detection of macrolides. This is exciting work that enables us to engineer antibiotic-producing microbial factories using high-throughput synthetic biology and metabolic engineering approaches.