Project information
Development of genetic engineering and synthetic biology tools for thermophilic bacteria (SYNBIOTHERM)

Research of thermophilic bacteria attracts attention during recent years due to their ability to survive in extreme environments and their potential in the production of valuable bio-based substances in so-called Next Generation Biotechnologies. Bacterium of our primary interest, Schlegelella thermodepolymerans, is a promising target because of its capability to utilize sugars from waste plant biomass and convert them into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) – microbial polyesters that are considered as a future replacement for synthetic plastics. In order to study the fundamental basis of PHA synthesis and optimize their production in this host, we need to alter metabolic circuits of the bacterium. However, reliable genetic engineering and synthetic biology tools for thermophilic bacteria are still scarce. Our aim is the in-depth study of S. thermodepolymerans and the improvement of desired characteristics of the bacterium. In this project, we focus on developing DNA transformation protocols, constructing vectors for effective genome editing, testing reliable reporter molecules, searching for regulatory sequences, and evaluation of their performance.