Bioengineering non-sugar modifications of saponins (OSBOURN_J17UNIL)

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Saponins (glycosylated triterpenes) are one of the most numerous and diverse groups of plant natural products. They are complex molecules that are, for the most part, beyond the reach of chemical synthesis. These compounds have a wide range of industrial applications, including as surfactants for use in soaps and other home and personal care products. A considerable amount is now known about the enzymes that synthesise and modify triterpene scaffolds. This project exploits an innovative synthetic biology approach for easy and quick production of known and new-to-nature triterpenes using a transient plant expression system. The goal is to engineer triterpenes with optimised physical properties and performance for use in home and personal care products.