A Droplet Microfluidics Based Platform for Mining Metagenomic Libraries for Natural Compounds.

ABSTRACT: Historically, microbes from the environment have been a reliable source for novel bio-active compounds. Cloning and expression of metagenomic DNA in heterologous strains of bacteria has broadened the range of potential compounds accessible. However, such metagenomic libraries have been under-exploited for applications in mammalian cells because of a lack of integrated methods. We present an innovative platform to systematically mine natural resources for pro-apoptotic compounds that relies on the combination of bacterial delivery and droplet microfluidics. Using the violacein operon from C. violaceum as a model, we demonstrate that E. coli modified to be invasive can serve as an efficient delivery vehicle of natural compounds. This approach permits the seamless screening of metagenomic lib

SUBMITTER: Theodorou E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6189830 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature