DeTOX - Productive whole cell biocatalysis by engineering resistance to toxic products and substrates

Product toxicity is a major problem for many IBBE processes involving production of small molecules by living cells. Toxicity causes yield restrictions & cell lysis, & frequently affects the commercial viability of biomanufacturing. Likewise, small molecules in lignocellulosic feedstocks inhibit bacterial fermentations & ultimately depress product yields. In this CBMNet NIBB-led bid, a team of scientists from four Universities apply their fundamental expertise in systems & synthetic biology & membrane function, to engineer increased resistance to small molecules in the industrially relevant bacteria, E. coli & solventogenic Clostridia. Our innovation is to translate BBSRC-funded research in microbial stress responses, membrane structure & membrane transporters, into the development & commercialisation of innovative applications in IBBE by our 5 commercial partners. A key project output will be a commercial chassis strain, DeTox, with generally increased chemical resistance.