Genetically engineered Lactid-Acid-Bacteria

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have served humankind all times by preserving food stuff. Examples are the production of yoghurt, sauerkraut or silage. LAB are natural constituents of the healthy intestinal flora, some of which have been proven to have probiotic effects. During the progress of industrialization, production processes using LAB were being more and more specified and demands for these microorganisms increased constantly. Goal of the CD-laboratory for genetically engineered LAB is to understand and learn the basic mechanisms of these microorganisms by using modern methods and new tools of molecular biology and to increase their application potential. Integrating data from qualitative and quantitative genome- transcriptome- and proteome analysis should result in a rational basis for targeted genetic engineering. The CD-laboratory is intended to contribute to science and society by extending the existing knowledge about basic gene structure and regulation and to conduct quantitative analyses about transcription, protein expression and in particular protein secretion. The goal is to exploit the entity of acquired data in an integrative manner in order to construct LAB strains that are feasible for industrial utilization. LAB will be genetically engineered to contain new catabolic and anabolic capacities. Two directions are to be followed, accordingly: 1. Construction of catabolic strains for the over-production of proteins, small peptides and other molecules in industrial fermenters. 2. Construction of anabolic strains, able to degrade macromolecular carbon sources such as cellulose or inulin for more efficient and robust preservation processes. The main focus of both directions is not only to provide adequate efficiency but also to generate genetically stable and biologically safe, engineered strains. For improved performance of anabolic strains, targeted enzyme engineering is intended to optimize and adapt enzymatic performance. In the long run, the industrial partner will benefit from the hereby created advances in science and technology, and increase its chances within the promising high technology sector of biotechnology.