Mining extremophile genomes for synthetic biology
Lead Research Organisation:
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Description | Working in collaboration with Adele Williamson, we have been able to identify, express and purify a novel DNA polymerase from a bacterium that lives in the cold temperatures of the Antarctic. To our delight, this enzyme is capable of making DNA containing non-canonical nucleobases, a key aim of the project, thereby setting the scene for developing a biophysical understanding of its properties. |
Exploitation Route | If we can engineer the DNA polymerase to have the ability to separate DNA strands in double helices, this enzyme will find numerous commercial applications in diagnostics and other areas of biotechnology. |
Sectors | Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | Wakaito Unversity |
Organisation | University of Waikato |
Country | New Zealand |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are expressing and characterizing novel DNA polymerases from psychrophilic bacteria. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partners are providing gene sequence information on the DNA polymerases that are present in "dry valley" bacteria, which live at low temperatures in the Antarctic. |
Impact | None. our interactions have been severely limited by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has prevented student exchange visits. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Journal Editor - Philosophical Transactions B |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I was the lead Editor for a special issue the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B titled "Reactivity and Mechanism in Chemical and Synthetic Biology". This was a collection of articles by leading international practitioners in the fields of chemical biology and synthetic biology. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |