The application of modern Synthetic Biology techniques to address the production of nutritional and industrial speciality chemicals

异戊二烯，也被称为萜类化合物，是有记载的最大和最古老的天然产品类别。在农作物中，已作出巨大努力来增加营养异戊二烯类化合物，如类胡萝卜素(b-胡萝卜素、维生素A原)和生育酚(维生素E)，以此作为营养增强的手段。在商业上，异戊二烯类化合物被用于化妆品和香水，并在食品和饲料中用作着色剂和营养补充剂。目前的生产平台要么是植物，要么是微生物。在生物合成上，所有的异戊二烯类化合物都是通过一个共同的五碳结构块(异戊烯基焦磷酸；IPP)联系在一起的。不同的类异戊二烯可以利用相同的类异戊二烯前体，这些前体在不同的发育阶段优先使用或引导。通过创建酶融合，可以实现改变/优化代谢产物的挑战。这些融合利用了灵活的多肽接头，有可能优化前体从一类异戊二烯流向所需产品的过程。实际上是创造了一种人造新陈代谢。概念验证工作证明了该系统在酶功能和高通量筛选方面的潜力。在拟议的项目中，将产生代谢香叶基香叶基(C20)或法尼基(C15)二磷酸的类异戊二烯酶之间的融合，并在植物和酵母中进行测试。

Isoprenoids, also known as terpenoids represent the largest and oldest class of natural products documented. In crop plants intense efforts have been made to increase nutritional isoprenoids such as carotenoids (b-carotene provitamin A) and tocopherols (vitamin E) as a means of nutritional enhancement. Commercially isoprenoids are used in cosmetics and fragrances, and as colorants and nutritional supplements in foods and feeds. The present production platforms are either plants and/or microorganisms. Biosynthetically all isoprenoids are related via a common five carbon building block (isopentenyl pyrophosphate; IPP). Different isoprenoid classes can utilise the same isoprenoid precursors, which are preferentially used or channeled at different developmental stages. Through the creation of enzyme fusions a means of altering/optimising metabolite challenging can been achieved. These fusions which utilise flexible peptide linkers have the potential to optimise the flow of precursors from one class of isoprenoid into the desired products. In effect create an artificial metabolon. Proof of concept work has proven the potential of the system both in terms of enzymatic function and high throughput screening. In the proposed project fusions between isoprenoid enzymes metabolising geranylgeranyl (C20) or farnesyl (C15) diphosphate will be created and tested in plants and yeasts.