Intention of the CD-laboratory for Genetically Engineered Lactic Acid Bacteria is to establish a basis of knowledge which facilitates rational and efficient genetic engineering of lactic acid bacteria used in industrial applications.
Our objective is the elucidation of the whole genome sequence of a Lactobacillus buchneri strain. Further, we will sequence versatile Lactobacillus-plasmids, in order to find novel origins of replication. These so called ‘oris’ will be used for the construction of expression and integration vectors.
Aim of this project is the identification of promoters and regulatory elements (operators) of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). These elements should then be used in vector design or genetic enginneering of LAB.
Electroporation has become the widest used method for introduction of foreign DNA into lactic acid bacteria. Our objective is to provide optimized electroporation protocols for our Lactobacillus and Enterococcus strains.
Objective of this project is the design of novel plasmid vectors for heterologous gene expression or for stable genomic integration in lactic acid bacteria.
Instead of producing their own metabolites, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) make use of their nutrient rich surroundings. They are able to degrade external polypeptides and polysaccharides by secretion of different enzymes and to import the resulting small molecules. Our objective is indentification of signal peptides of strongly secreted proteins and to use them for biotechnological approaches.