AMEG
Actinobacteria Metabolic Engineering
Actinomycetes are a well-known and very intensively examined group of bacteria. They have produced various antibiotics and antitumor drugs and are industrially used to produce antibiotics and agro chemicals. Despite them being thoroughly studied, a huge potential remains still to be revealed. Recent DNA deciphering efforts, where the entire genomes of actinomycetes have been sequenced, revealed that these bacteria remained a very rich source of new potentially active natural products.
Hence, a huge reservoir of bioactive molecules stays “hidden” in the numerous publicly available bacterial genomes and metagenomes, confirming the strong limitations of conventional approaches for novel drug discovery.
Therefore, the major challenge in the field is exploitation of this untapped genomic potential, and its conversion into bioactive chemical entities for their further development as drugs.
In our department we aim to apply a synthetic biology approaches and to develop a truly functional technology platform for discovery, bioengineering and sustainable supply those hidden in genomes compounds for pharmacological testing.
1
Natural Product Discovery
Natural products (NPs) from plants, fungi, or bacteria like actinomycetes are vital for developing medicines and agricultural agents. Our group investigates new actinomycetes strains, analyzing metabolites via LC-MS, NMR, and genome sequencing to discover novel compounds. We identify biosynthetic gene clusters, isolate new NPs, and test their biological activities.
2
Synthetic Biology
Synthetic biology merges engineering and biology to unlock nature’s hidden biochemical potential. By redesigning biological systems and introducing synthetic gene circuits, it enables sustainable production of valuable compounds. This approach can revolutionize drug discovery, bio-manufacturing, and energy, potentially generating vast economic and societal benefits.
3
Biosynthetic Engineering of Actinomycetes
Actinomycetes, especially from the genus Streptomyces, are a rich but underexplored source of bioactive natural products. Traditional methods have failed to activate many of their silent biosynthetic gene clusters. Biosynthetic engineering applies synthetic biology principles to refactor and express these pathways, enabling discovery of novel therapeutics.
