SBIR Phase I: Production and Application of a Beta-1,3- Polyglucon from a Gram Positive Bacterium

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目有以下目标：(1)通过基因操纵C. Flavigena来合成更多的KUSP1聚葡聚糖；(2)研究该聚合物新应用的可行性。C. Flavigena是革兰氏阳性菌；因此，其有用的-1,3-葡聚糖产物不应被脂多糖内毒素污染。该聚合物在中性pH下不溶，在轻度碱性溶液中可溶；因此它的凝胶很容易控制。现代分子生物学技术将用于开发KUSP1“过量生产”菌株。同时，我们将研究基于kusp1的凝胶系统在电泳应用中的适用性。这项研究的成功完成将使这种聚合物以具有吸引力的成本供应，用于以下商业应用：a)通过油藏中聚合物的“原位凝胶化”提高石油采收率，b)药物的“控释”封装，c)农业化学品的封装，以及d)食品中的胶凝剂/增稠剂/稳定剂。该奖项由小企业创新研究计划和刺激竞争研究实验计划（EPSCoR）支持。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project has the following objectives: (1) To genetically manipulate C. Flavigena to synthesize increased amounts of the KUSP1 polyglucan and (2) investigate the feasibility of new applications of the polymer. C. Flavigena is a gram positive bacterium; hence its useful beta-1,3-polyglucan product should not be contaminated with lipopolysaccharide endotoxins. The polymer is insoluble at neutral pH and soluble in mildly alkaline solutions; hence its gellation is easily controlled. Modern molecular biological techniques will be employed to develop a KUSP1 `over-producing` strain. In parallel we will examine the applicability of KUSP1-based gel systems for electrophoretic applications. The successful completion of this study will result in a ready supply of this polymer at an attractive cost for the commercial applications listed: a) Enhanced oil recovery via `in situ gellation` of the polymers in reservoirs, b) Encapsulation of medicines for `controlled release`, c) Encapsulation of agricultural chemicals, and d) Gelling agent/thickener/stabilizer in food products. This award is supported by the Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).