Microorganisms such as yeast are genetically engineered to produce the compounds that humans need. Such biosynthesis technologies are common. A new study in the United States says that the combination of optogenetics and biosynthetic technologies can dramatically increase production efficiency.
Optogenetics technology is a method of manipulating cells, that is, transforming a specific gene into light-sensitive, and then using light to turn on or off gene function, affecting cell activity. This technology has had a major impact on the field of neuroscience, but with It is the first time to regulate cell metabolism in biosynthesis.
According to a recent press release issued by Princeton University, the research team of the university has used light to control genetically modified yeast, allowing yeast to switch between 'propagation' and 'labor' in a timely manner, efficiently producing isobutanol, a chemical raw material, and achieving efficiency Five times the method.
Isobutanol is widely used in chemical, automotive and other fields. Yeast possesses the ability to synthesize isobutanol, but only a trace amount of isobutanol is produced during natural fermentation. The main products are ethanol and carbon dioxide. Transgenic means increase isobutanol production. , But isobutanol is toxic to yeast. Concentration exceeding a certain level will cause the death of the bacteria.
The researchers implanted Yeast with a modified light-sensitive gene to make it sensitive to specific blue light. When exposed to blue light, the yeast normally grows and proliferates, breaks down glucose to produce ethanol, and suppresses isobutanol production; after removing the light, , Isobutanol production line will start. With appropriate intervals of light, you can get higher isobutanol production, while maintaining the survival of the bacteria.
Compared with methods using chemical adjustments, light costs are low, the speed of action is fast, and light sources can be turned on or off at any time to achieve precise control. The researchers hope to apply this idea to other microbes and even human cells to help develop New biosynthetic process or treatment.
Related papers have been published in the British "Nature" magazine.
