Award details

Molecular genetics, chemical biology and industrial applications of microbial natural products

Reference	BBS/E/J/000C0665
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Barrie Wilkinson
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	John Innes Centre
Department	John Innes Centre Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	718,577
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/06/2013
End date	31/03/2017
Duration	45 months

Abstract

Building on JIC’s international reputation in the molecular genetics of actinomycete natural products biosynthesis we will develop new tools & techniques for their discovery and manipulation. Particular areas of expertise include polyketide, non-ribosomal peptide & deoxyhexose pathways, and we aim to identify and delineate new biosynthetic mechanisms and enzymology. Our approach is two-fold: first to harness known but neglected compounds with potential as anti-infective agents, both anti-proliferative and through the modulation of virulence factors. Secondly, novel compounds have been accessed through our industry contacts and we will expand our interests to identify their molecular targets and mode of action. In all cases we will use bioengineering principles to enable their production for testing and modify their properties to address limitations or enhance properties as required. Where possible we shall look to target compounds with potential to address diseases that represent emerging public health threats and to these ends will develop our existing collaboration with the Health Protection Agency and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. Examples include bacteria such as Legionella, Burkholderia and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and emerging viruses such as the coronaviruses (e.g. SARS-like coronavirus). Long term we will expand efforts to incorporate the discovery of natural products which modulate the transcription and translation of key protein targets involved in longevity in model systems. This should be instructive towards understanding the biology of healthy aging as well as the mechanisms of diseases of aging. Natural products have proven fruitful in this arena, e.g. rapamycin & resveratrol. We will build upon an existing collaboration with the Buck Institute of Aging Research in California, and have already identified novel pharmacologic agents that extend the lifespan of model organisms such as yeast and worms

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Ageing, Microbiology, Pharmaceuticals
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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