Targeted Genome Engineering

Microorganisms are well-known producers of bioactive compounds, however many microbial producer strains produce multiple by-products alongside their target compound. Preventing the expression of these by-products opens the way to safer, more stream-lined and sustainable pharmaceutical bio-manufacturing processes.

A simple and straightforward genome editing platform for bacteria has been used to precisely delete targeted DNA regions in a producer bacterium used for making the immunosuppressant drug rapamycin. The method is potentially adaptable to any microbial system.

With five identified DNA target regions already successfully removed, work continues on five more. In parallel, fermentation conditions are being optimized for the modified producer strain and fine tune the production media for cost-effectiveness and scalability.

Find out more in this accessible two-page industrial case study arising from the ETERNAL Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action.

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