Toward sustainable diesel production using microbial cells: unravelling isoprenoid pathway regulation through systems biology (2014–2016)

Abstract:
The methylerythritol pyrophosphate (MEP) pathway for isoprenoid production is an essential biochemical pathway. It was only fully elucidated a decade ago, and the regulatory controls over this pathway are not understood. The objective of this project is to elucidate the mechanisms by which the MEP pathway is controlled in E. coli using a novel systems biology approach. Understanding control of the MEP pathway is required to (a) gain insight into homeostatic control of this essential pathway and (b) enable biotechnological engineering of E. coli in order to produce a wide range of industrially useful isoprenoids (including biofuels, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, neutraceuticals, food additives, perfumes and many more).
Grant type:
ARC Discovery Projects
Researchers:
Funded by:
Australian Research Council