Biosynthetic Hooks for an Enigmatic Marine Toxin

该项目旨在描述河豚毒素产生的遗传基础，河豚毒素是一种具有生态和生物医学意义的强大神经毒素。我们假设河豚毒素是由微生物产生的，并通过食物网转移到鱼类、软体动物和其他海洋动物中。我们集成的基因组和合成生物学方法，针对关键的生物合成基因，将揭示生产河豚毒素和其他潜在有价值的化合物的途径。除了提供对这种神秘毒素的生态和生物合成的前所未有的洞察外，产生的数据还将使海鲜安全管理得到改善，并为未来开发新型神经活性化合物提供基础。

This project aims to characterise the genetic basis for the production of tetrodotoxin; a potent neurotoxin of ecological and biomedical significance. We hypothesise that tetrodotoxin is produced by microorganisms and transferred via the food web to fish, molluscs and other marine animals. Our integrated genomic and synthetic biology approach, targeting key biosynthesis genes, will reveal pathways for the production of tetrodotoxin and other potentially valuable compounds. In addition to providing unprecedented insight into the ecology and biosynthesis of this enigmatic toxin, the data generated will enable improved management of seafood safety and provide a foundation for the future development of novel neuroactive compounds.