INTEGRATING GENOMICS-BASED APPLICATIONS TO EXPLOIT ACTINOMYCETES AS A RESOURCE FOR NEW ANTIBIOTICS

Objective

ActinoGEN is an integrated project aimed at developing novel genomics-based approaches to exploit hitherto overlooked genetic resources for new antibiotics. Drug discovery will focus on (1) accessing new antibiotic biosynthetic pathways from diverse actinomycetes that have yet to be cultured; (2) activating cryptic pathways from well-characterised actinomycetes; and (3) engineering novel hybrid antibiotics by combinatorial biosynthesis. To greatly accelerate the drug discovery process, a parallel strategy will be to engineer generic hosts optimised to produce high antibiotic yields. With the complete genome sequence of the model actinomycete, Streptomyces coelicolor, and mobilization of a pan-European effort to apply newly developed multidisciplinary post-genomic technologies, a holistic understanding of the physiology and regulation of antibiotic biosynthesis is achievable for the first time. This will, in turn, permit rational intervention to engineer generic hosts for high-yield antibiotic production. This synergy of discovery linked to overproduction will place the European biotechnology sector at the forefront of developing much-needed new antibiotics to combat multi-drug resistant pathogens.

Fields of science

• medical and health sciences › basic medicine › pharmacology and pharmacy › drug resistance › multidrug resistance

Programme(s)

• FP6-LIFESCIHEALTH - Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health: Thematic Priority 1 under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006.

Topic(s)

• LSH-2003-2.1.2-1 - Functional genomics of antibiotics-producing organisms

Call for proposal

FP6-2003-LIFESCIHEALTH-I
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

IP - Integrated Project

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF WALES, SWANSEA

Address

Singleton Park
Swansea
United Kingdom

Participants (17)

DIPARTIMENTO DI BIOLOGIA CELLULARE E DELLO SVILUPPO, UNIVERSITA DI PALERMO

Italy

Address

Viale Delle Scienze - Parco D'orleans Ii'
Palermo

EBERHARD KARLS-UNIVERSITÄT TÜBINGEN

Germany

Address

Wilhelmstrasse 5
Tuebingen

ENTRECHEM SL

Spain

Address

Centro De Empresas Del Caudal
Mieres

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE

France

Address

147, Rue De L'universite
Paris

INSTITUTE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY OF LEÓN

Spain

Address

C/real No 1
Leon

INSTITUTE OF MICROBIOLOGY, ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Czechia

Address

Videnska 1083
Prague

JOHN INNES CENTRE

United Kingdom

Address

Norwich Research Park
Norwich

LIBRAGEN

France

Address

11 Avenue Einstein
Villeurbanne

RIJKSUNIVERSITEIT GRONINGEN

Netherlands

Address

Broerstraat 5
Groningen

SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

South Korea

Address

56-1 Shinlim-dong, Kwanak-ku
Seoul

TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK

Denmark

Address

Anker Engelunds Vej 1
Kgs. Lyngby

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET BERLIN

Germany

Address

Strasse Des 17. Juni
Berlin

THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER

United Kingdom

Address

Oxford Road
Manchester

UNIVERSIDAD DE OVIEDO

Spain

Address

San Francisco, 3
Ovideo

UNIVERSITE PARIS-SUD

France

Address

Rue Georges Clemenceau
Orsay

UNIVERSITY OF SURREY

United Kingdom

Address

University Campus
Guildford

UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK

United Kingdom

Address

Gibbet Hill Road
Coventry