Project description
Shedding light on the phenomenon of subpopulations
For all types of cells, genetically identical populations can form metabolically distinct subpopulations. However, the emergence of subpopulations has been largely overlooked in biotechnology. The EU-funded DEUSBIO project will explore the emergence of subpopulations in yeast. Using new synthetic biology tools, the project will try to identify their implications in metabolism and bioproduction. It will also create an innovative framework to maximise the biosynthesis of high value molecules. The findings of this project will stretch beyond bioproduction, with implications in biomedicine, cancer heterogeneity and microbiome complexity.
Objective
Microbial bioproduction, despite being considered a paradigmatic sustainable alternative to petroleum-based chemistry, is often limited by low yields and productivities, which prevents commercialisation. It is generally known for all types of cells that genetically identical populations can form metabolically distinct subpopulations. This diversity strongly impairs bioproduction as the presence of low-producer or slow-grower cells reduces overall yields. However, the universal phenomenon of subpopulations emergence has been largely overlooked, especially in biotechnology, due to technical difficulties. Now, thanks to recent developments in single cell technologies, in molecular understanding of microbial communities and in synthetic biology tools, we can begin to address this widespread and impactful biological feature.
I propose to explore the emergence of subpopulations in yeast and understand their implications in metabolism and bioproduction using and developing cutting edge synthetic biology tools. I aim to use that knowledge to develop novel engineered strains that lack the presence of undesired subpopulations and then use such homogeneous populations for bioproduction. The homogenised production will be investigated in both, monocultures and microbial communities. In DEUSBIO, I will set up an innovative framework to maximise the biosynthesis of high value molecules, with high potential to overcome current limitations.
This project will shed light on the phenomenon of subpopulations, whose relevance goes beyond bioproduction, as for example, it has been associated with the origin of multicellularity. Increasing our knowledge about this matter will also have implications in biomedicine, as cell subpopulations are extremely important in the appearance of antimicrobial resistant, in cancer heterogeneity, and in microbiome complexity.
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Funding Scheme
ERC-STG - Starting GrantHost institution
SW7 2AZ LONDON
United Kingdom