SRP-Groeifinanciering: Synthetic biology for the development of microbial cell factories

Our fossil-based linear economy urgently needs to transition towards a more sustainable biobased circular economy, where microbes can become the chemical factories of the future. However, the microbial production of biofuels, -plastics and materials from waste is currently often still not efficient enough to be economically viable. Synthetic biology offers a solution by developing tools to convert microbial cells through genetic engineering into more efficient factories with a single production purpose, achieving a more robust cellular behaviour and higher productivities. In this SRP growth research program, the state-of-the-art of synthetic biology engineering will be pushed forward by developing novel genetic circuits. These newly created circuits rely on an expanded set of protein-based regulatory elements and are characterized by their increasing complexity. The project integrates computational and experimental research into a unique interdisciplinary approach that combines bioinformatics, molecular microbiology and applied physics. As proof-of-concept, a model bacterium will be modified to improve the biosynthesis of fatty acids, which are interesting precursors for the production of biofuels and -chemicals..