Improving Probiotics Based on Systems Biology and Reverse Metabolic Engineering

The combination of systems biology and reverse metabolic engineering allows for rational and effective modification of strains to improve them or give them new properties. Creative Enzymes is an advanced expert in strain modification technology and can provide modification services to further enhance the functionality of any of our clients' probiotic strains.

Overview

The tools of systems biology involve high-throughput analysis tools such as transcriptome, proteome and metabolome analysis, as well as the use of mathematical modeling to simulate phenotypes generated by different metabolic engineering strategies. Reverse metabolic engineering is used to obtain complex phenotypes controlled by multiple genes by constructing mutant libraries with genetic diversity, combined with effective high-throughput screening techniques. Now, this technology has become a powerful tool in industrial biotechnology for studying biometabolic pathways and modifying strain performance.

Creative Enzymes combines rapidly evolving systems biology tools with reverse metabolic engineering to gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of strain phenotypes. Our powerful combination of technologies results in a "phenotype-genotype-phenotype" recombinant strain.

Fig. 1 Metabolic engineering strategies in LAB, from classical (intuitive) to systematic approaches. (Gaspar, 2013)

Our Services

Creative Enzymes has extensive experience and strong capabilities in strain optimization. We offer a functional enhancement strategy based on systems biology and reverse metabolic engineering consisting of the following main steps.

• Phenotypic strains are obtained through evolutionary engineering strategies such as adaptive evolution.
• Comprehensive analysis of phenotype-associated gene expression through systems biology tools (e.g. genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics analysis).
• Modification of phenotypically relevant genes by reverse metabolic engineering.

Our Methods

Conventional techniques include overexpression or knockdown of target genes. On one hand, we enhance the transcription level of the target gene by using high copy plasmids or strong promoters; on the other hand, the transcription and expression level of the gene can be reduced by directly weakening or knocking out the target gene.

• Gene Overexpression

Creative Enzymes can provide a complete gene overexpression solution based on customer needs, including the selection of overexpression methods and gene expression assays. We can intervene in the regulation of gene expression at any stage of the process such as transcription of DNA into RNA and post-translational modification of proteins. In addition, we offer a variety of methods including fluorescence in situ hybridization, RT-PCR, Northern blot and other methods to detect the expression of genes.

• Gene Knockout

The powerful technologies of Creative Enzymes also include through various advanced gene editing technologies such as TALEN, ZFN and CRISPR-Cas. They can edit or cut specific target DNA to weaken or knock out the relevant phenotypic gene.

Creative Enzymes is a professional and experienced probiotic supplier and service provider. We help our clients to obtain advanced customized probiotic strains through various advanced technologies, thus making them more suitable for industrial development of probiotic products. To get more information, please contact us and we will be happy to serve your research demands.

Reference

1. Gaspar, P.; et al. From physiology to systems metabolic engineering for the production of biochemicals by lactic acid bacteria. Biotechnology advances. 2013, 31(6): 764-788.