Engineering the synthesis of natural and non-natural anthocyanins in Escherichia coli

该项目的目标是开发合成天然和非天然多酚化学结构的方法，如花青素，可以用作染料，也有潜在的营养保健和制药应用。随着花青素的生物合成、应用和生化机制的不断明确，对能够高效、高纯度地生产任何天然花青素和非天然花青素衍生物的标准化合成工艺的需求变得越来越重要。这种合成将利用有机合成和代谢工程的先进技术，为潜在的数千种模仿天然花青素化学结构的化合物创造独特的合成平台。综合使用这些不同的技术将使人们能够大量合成常见的、稀有的和非天然的化合物，并有助于在仔细控制的研究中了解植物多酚对健康的有益影响。更广泛的影响：更广泛的影响将通过积极的外展活动产生，旨在提高公众对生物工程所提供的巨大机会和承诺的认识。通过继续参加计算研究中心组织的夏季讲习班，首席研究员（PI）将为广大高中教师和学生提供独特的教育体验。此外，通过PI继续参与布法罗大学旨在招收少数族裔高中生暑期实习的各种项目，该项目将为少数族裔和经济弱势群体提供指导机会。

CBET-0756601KoffasIntellectual Merit The goal of this project is to develop methodologies for the synthesis of natural and non-natural chemical structures of polyphenols such as anthocyanins that can be used as dyes but also have potential nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. As the biosynthesis, applications and biochemical mechanisms of the anthocyanins gain definition, the need for standardized synthetic processes that can produce any natural anthocyanin as well as non-natural anthocyanin derivatives efficiently and in high purity gains in importance. Such syntheses would take advantage of advances in organic synthesis and metabolic engineering in order to create unique synthetic platforms for potentially thousands of compounds that mimic the natural anthocyanin chemical structures. The convergent use of these disparate technologies will enable one to synthesize common, rare and non-natural compounds in high abundance and help understand the beneficial health effects of plant polyphenols in carefully controlled studies.Broader Impact: Broader impact will result through an aggressive outreach activity aimed at increasing the awareness of the general public on the vast opportunities and promise bioengineering has to offer. By continuing participation in summer workshops organized by the Center for Computational Research, the Principal Investigator (PI) will provide a unique educational experience to a wide pool of high-school teachers and students. In addition, through the PI's continuing participation in various programs at the University of Buffalo aimed at recruiting minority high-school students for summer internships, this project will offer mentoring opportunities for minorities and economically disadvantaged groups.