Collaborative Research: RUI: BIOMAPS: Modular Programmed Evolution of Bacteria for Optimization of Metabolic Pathways

合作研究：RUI：BIOMAPS：用于优化代谢途径的细菌模块化程序化进化

• 批准号: 1329350
• 负责人: Todd Eckdahl
• 金额: $ 46.11万
• 依托单位: Missouri Western State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-09-15 至 2017-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1329350&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; RUI; BIOMAPS; Modular

Intellectual MeritThis project is directed towards developing new methods for optimizing production of useful compounds by genetically engineered bacteria. In typical industrial settings, large scale production is fraught with reduced efficiency and yield of desired compounds. The problem is that an industrially useful compound may not be useful for the bacteria, and so there is selective pressure against "producer cells" and for "non-producer cells" which can then overwhelm the population. To address this problem, a strategy called Programmed Evolution has been created, which will introduce genetic variation into bacterial populations and reward cells for producing the largest amount of compound. This project aims to investigate this optimization process using a mathematical approach in order to gain a better understanding as to how the cells reach their final evolved state. Programmed Evolution will be a plug-and-play system for the optimization of any desired output so researchers and companies can produce the most compound possible for applications in energy, and bioremediation. Broader impactsThe Programmed Evolution project will increase diversity for STEM education since the research is conducted entirely by undergraduates. The investigators will continue their successful model of recruiting students from underrepresented groups. The project will contribute to a trained STEM workforce because the students involved will be highly valued as a result of their authentic research experiences. The Programmed Evolution process could improve efficiencies for industrial-scale commercial production of useful chemicals and pharmaceuticals, thus improving American economic competitiveness. In addition to strengthening the infrastructure for research and education on the two collaborating campuses, the project will enable the investigators to continue to serve as national leaders in undergraduate synthetic biology education and research through the Genome Consortium for Active Teaching (GCAT). The project will enhance the undergraduate education of the students, contribute to their development as scientifically literate citizens, and provide them with the background needed to pursue research careers. As the undergraduate students learn how to program the evolution of bacteria, they also learn how to program the course of their own futures as professionals, educators, and research scientists.This project is being jointly funded by the Directorate for Biological Sciences, Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, and the Directorate for Education and Human Resources, Division of Undergraduate Education as part of their efforts toward support of Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology Education.

该项目旨在开发新的方法，通过基因工程细菌优化生产有用的化合物。在典型的工业环境中，大规模生产充满了效率降低和所需化合物产量降低的问题。问题是，工业上有用的化合物可能对细菌没有用处，因此存在针对“生产细胞”和“非生产细胞”的选择性压力，这些压力随后会压倒整个种群。为了解决这个问题，一种被称为“程序化进化”的策略被创造出来，它将基因变异引入细菌种群，并奖励产生最多化合物的细胞。这个项目旨在用数学方法研究这个优化过程，以便更好地理解细胞是如何达到它们最终的进化状态的。程序化进化将是一个即插即用的系统，用于优化任何期望的输出，因此研究人员和公司可以生产出尽可能多的化合物，用于能源和生物修复。更广泛的影响程序化进化项目将增加STEM教育的多样性，因为该研究完全由本科生进行。调查人员将继续他们从代表性不足的群体中招募学生的成功模式。该项目将有助于培养训练有素的STEM劳动力，因为参与的学生将因其真实的研究经历而受到高度重视。程序化进化过程可以提高有用化学品和药品的工业规模商业生产的效率，从而提高美国的经济竞争力。除了加强两个合作校区的研究和教育基础设施外，该项目还将使研究人员能够继续通过主动教学基因组联盟（GCAT）在本科合成生物学教育和研究方面发挥国家领导作用。该计划将加强学生的本科教育，帮助他们发展成为具有科学素养的公民，并为他们从事研究工作提供必要的背景。当本科生学习如何编程细菌的进化时，他们也学习如何编程他们自己的未来，成为专业人士、教育工作者和研究科学家。该项目由生物科学理事会、分子和细胞生物科学部以及教育和人力资源理事会、本科教育司共同资助，作为他们支持本科生物学教育的愿景和变化的努力的一部分。