Quantifying metabolic flux rerouting in dependence of rhamnolipid synthesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• Grant number: 15/05412-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: June 01, 2015
• End date: May 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Jonas Contiero
• Grantee: Roberta Barros Lovaglio
• Supervisor: Lars M. Blank
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: RWTH Aachen University, Germany
• Associated to the scholarship: 11/21228-4 - Metabolic Fluxes Assessment in Complex Network of Rhamnolipids Production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, BP.PD

Abstract

Despite the numerous advantages of biosurfactants, such as low toxicity, biodegradability and high stability, these compounds are not widely used because of the high cost of production. The application of metabolic engineering tools allows the identification of flow deviations in metabolic pathways involved in the synthesis of rhamnolipid, which can be overcome by genetically modified strains, contributing significantly to the increased production of these metabolites. In this study we will quantify the carbon flux distribution in Pseudomonas aeruginosa in dependence of rhamnolipid synthesis using 13C-carbon metabolic flux analysis. The results will guide genetic modifications with the ultimate aim to direct the carbon flow towards rhamnolipid synthesis. (AU)