guest lecture - Das

Question 1

metabolic engineering

Answer 1

tailoring microbes to your need

Question 2

want to make more of product on interest.

- other functions or primary carbon metabolism?

Answer 2

carbon storage molecules

- molecules important for function

Question 3

so, tweak energy production to get more product of interest?

Answer 3

no, bacterial cell will die

Question 4

so, tweak molecules important for function?

Answer 4

yes, but only till minimal operating level.
min amount of molecules for function
- more towards product of interest

Question 5

so tweak carbon storage molecules?

Answer 5

yes, eliminate no more in storage.

- more towards product of interest

Question 6

ways to “tweak”

Answer 6

• eliminate pathway (delete completely)
• controlling production (insert promoter to get more + add lots of inducer molecule. OR add promoter + add enough inducer for optimal function of that gene.)
• insert a pathway (have one pathway, but want similar that makes more of product. insert new gene. plasmic to incorporate new gene + lacOperon. add inducer to increase trxn)
• using improved protein (use new protein as enzyme - gets better results.insert protein plasmid downstream from lac promoter. )

Question 7

isoprenoids are derived from isoprene

Answer 7

methane + methanol –> inexpensive, readily available waste product. one path already used. good.

other pathway not in bacteria. when add increases product - product could help in a lot of ways.