OUR SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY PIPELINE
From Genetic Sequence to Purified Product
Development may begin with a known biosynthetic pathway or discovery of a previously uncharacterized one. The starting work depends on what is already understood about the molecule.
KNOWLEDGE SHAPES THE STARTING POINT
A process guided
by the pathway.
For characterized pathways, known gene and enzyme sequences can support microbial engineering. When a pathway is not yet understood, discovery work investigates the organism that naturally produces the compound.
The first two stages describe conditional starting work—not a requirement to sequence a new genome for every project. Engineering and optimization are iterative, with recovery methods selected for the target compound.
FIVE AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT
Identify. Engineer.
Optimize. Recover.
- Starting point: characterized pathways
Pathway Identification
Determine how the target molecule is produced naturally and whether its genes and enzymes are already known.
Read more about Pathway Identification
When the responsible genes and enzymes have been characterized, their sequences can be obtained and synthesized for introduction into a microbial host. Development can begin here without requiring new genome sequencing.
- Conditional: when the pathway is uncharacterized
Genome & Pathway Discovery
Investigate the source organism to identify candidate genes and reconstruct the pathway behind natural-product biosynthesis.
Read more about Genome & Pathway Discovery
Capabilities include genome sequencing, genome annotation, gene prediction, and bioinformatic and computational analysis of candidate biosynthetic pathways. This discovery work is used when needed; it is not a mandatory second step for every project.
- Reconstruct & evaluate
Microbial Engineering
Introduce candidate biosynthetic genes into an appropriate microbial host to reconstruct the desired pathway.
Read more about Microbial Engineering
Engineered strains are evaluated to determine whether the pathway produces the target compound and to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Iterative development
Strain & Process Optimization
Refine the strain and production process with reproducibility and scalability as development objectives.
Read more about Strain & Process Optimization
Optimization may involve pathway architecture, gene expression, culture conditions, precursor availability, and other process parameters. The objective is a robust production system that maximizes target-product formation while maintaining reproducibility and scalability, not a guaranteed outcome.
- Recover & characterize
Extraction & Purification
Recover the target compound using an approach suited to its physical and chemical properties.
Read more about Extraction & Purification
Depending on the molecule and its behavior in the host, material may be recovered from the culture medium or extracted from biomass. It can then be concentrated, purified, and analytically characterized.
THE NEXT CONVERSATION
New possibilities start
with a conversation.
Talk with our team about your target molecule, production-route development, or a potential collaboration.