Mining extremophile genomes for synthetic biology
Lead Research Organisation:
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
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| 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 |