i-Bacillus: Adapting Bacillus licheniformis for 21st century IB applications

Bacillus licheniformis is a preferred host for the production of industrial enzymes, including proteases

for detergent and amylases and cellulases for food and biofuels. To advance its genetics/utility our key

objective is to deploy SynBio tools to improve endogenous and heterologous enzyme production

economics in B. licheniformis for exploitation via leading end users. Genome delivery technologies will

amplify/target genes to locations validated for high-level/predictable expression, overcoming issues

associated with non-targeted integration. Nuclease-based genome editing will a) address yield-

compromising aspects of host metabolism under stress conditions identified through systems biology

and b) capitalize on in situ protein engineering to improve endogenous enzyme function including

thermotolerance and optimal activity under operating conditions. Success in these areas will reduce the

cost and improve the versatility and efficiency of industrial enzymes produced in B. licheniformis.