Production optimization for biotechnologies

Hans Geiselmann, Eugenio Cinquemani, Hidde de Jong, Delphine Ropers

We use genomic engineering methods to modify the control of bacterial metabolism and protein synthesis, thereby redirecting growth resources towards the production of metabolites and recombinant proteins. In particular, we have developed a "growth switch" which enables us to induce or extinguish the expression of RNA polymerase genes in Escherichia coli by means of an external (chemical) signal, thereby controlling bacterial growth.

By operating the growth switch, we have shown that the production yield of metabolites of interest can be significantly increased, in bioreactors on a scale of a few liters. We are currently working on approaches to make the induction system more flexible and economical (by exploring optogenetics) and to optimize induction schemes to achieve maximum yields or production rates (through optimal control methods).