Metabolic engineering of Bacillus subtilis to increase surfactin biosynthesis through expansion of the fatty acids pool

• Grant number: 24/21187-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Danielle Biscaro Pedrolli
• Grantee: Lucas Falocci Castillo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In the pursuit of guiding industrial production towards a more sustainable path, it is essential to offer intelligent alternatives that meet the rigorous demands of the market. In this context, the microbial production of complex compounds, enabled by synthetic biology, stands out for its potencial to reduce global dependence on petroleum derivatives, making industrial processes more sustainable. Among studies on biocompounds, the synthesis of biosurfactants is particularly relevant due to its broad applicability and superior performance compared to chemically synthesized surfactants. Specifically, surfactin is a cyclic lipopeptide produced by Bacillus subtilis with high surfactant power, whose production can be optimized for greater yields and reduced costs. To enhance the biosynthesis of this promising surfactant, this project will explore the optimization of fatty acid availability through genetic engineering. This precursor will be directed towards the surfactin supply pathway by deleting the fadE gene, which encodes an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and inserting in the same locus the tesA and yhfL genes, which encode a thioesterase and an acyl-CoA ligase, respectively. We expect that by deleting the consumption pathway will increase the fatty acid pool and effectively channel it to the surfactin biosynthesis pathway.