Sensor-aided bioprospecting

AEI 29

Karen M Polizzi, K.M.Polizzi@exeter.ac.uk, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Builiding, Stocker Rd, Exeter, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
Scientific discoveries are often fueled by technologies that allow visualization of events taking place at the cellular level. One example, is the discovery of fluorescent proteins, such as GFP, which gave researchers the ability to visualize organelles and proteins within cells. The design of genetically-encoded sensors for molecules of interest would allow the rapid screening of compounds that affect cellular metabolism, libraries of cDNA to identify new metabolic pathways, and libraries of enzymes to find those which make a compound of interest. Following successful sensor design, the projects become modular and can be adapted towards a biomedical, microbiological, or biocatalytic focus with relative ease. The development of these techniques would streamline future discoveries in all areas of biotechnology.