Accelerating pathway evolution by increasing the gene dosage of chromosomal segments.

ABSTRACT: Experimental evolution is a critical tool in many disciplines, including metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. However, current methods rely on the chance occurrence of a key step that can dramatically accelerate evolution in natural systems, namely increased gene dosage. Our studies sought to induce the targeted amplification of chromosomal segments to facilitate rapid evolution. Since increased gene dosage confers novel phenotypes and genetic redundancy, we developed a method, Evolution by Amplification and Synthetic Biology (EASy), to create tandem arrays of chromosomal regions. In Acinetobacter baylyi, EASy was demonstrated on an important bioenergy problem, the catabolism of lignin-derived aromatic compounds. The initial focus on guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol), a common lign

SUBMITTER: Tumen-Velasquez M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6142232 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature