An improved synthetic biology toolbox for developing Clostridium sp as hosts for biobutanol and commodity chemical production

We have identified limitations to the synthetic biology tools that are available for manipulation of Clostridium sp. Following discussion of this with GBL scientists and consideration of the features of an optimal vector system for synthetic biology work with Clostridium we have designed this PhD project. It will provide fundamental insight into gene structure in this genus, an improved understanding of regulatory elements relevant for hemicellulose utilisation, as well as vector systems for direct utilisation by a UK biotechnology company. The project will progressively build up knowledge of the different components of the vector system and then combine these to generate additional impact from the products of the FLEX project. This will include the design of regulated promoters that work well in both E. coli and Clostridium sp. The student will use the newly developed tools with the library of synthetic genes created in the FLEX project. During their placement at GBL they will study the ability of the new system to improve yields of butanol and other commodity chemicals from lignocellulose.