 |
|
 | FERMACHANNELINGSM TECHNOLOGY
Fermachanneling is a rational strain improvement concept developed at Fermalogic that is now ready for beta testing in the commercial erythromycin fermentation. (See research papers.) Fermachanneling was developed using Industrial Metabolic EngineeringSM. Fermachanneling technology is applicable for both carbohydrate-based and oil-based erythromycin fermentation processes.
Fermachanneling technology involves blocking precursor flow from the metabolite pool of the limiting factor in some fermentations. In other fermentations, precursor flow must be boosted into the metabolite pool of the limiting factor to increase product yield. The type of strategy employed depends on the fermentation process and metabolic pathways involved.
How does Fermachanneling work?
Fermachanneling products work in conjunction with the natural erythromycin biosynthetic process. The erythromycin molecule is constructed from seven similar ketide subunits bonded together into a polyketide structure. The polyketide structure forms the core of the molecule, which is further modified before the molecule reaches its final biologically active form.
Fermachanneling technology is based on evidence that the amount of erythromycin made by a cell is limited by the amount of ketide precursor subunits available for construction of the core polyketide. Fermachanneling therefore is focused on delivering more ketide precursors towards the erythromycin pathway to boost production.
In a cell, the ketide precursor subunits are not produced exclusively for erythromycin biosynthesis. These molecules can be used in the construction of other natural products during secondary metabolism, such as unneeded pigments, and ketide precursors can also be used as fuel to fill the energy requirements of the cell during primary metabolism. Therefore the goal of Channel-BlockersTM is to block the flow of precursors into these competing metabolic channels. Channel-Blockers are available for both A. erythreum and S. erythraea.
Another type of Fermachanneling technology focuses on gateways into the ketide precursor pool. Improving erythromycin production by increasing carbon flow through gateways into the precursor pool is done with Channel-BoostersTM.
What are the Fermachanneling related products?
Channel-Blockers are designed for use in carbohydrate-based fermentations of Aeromicrobium erythreum or Saccharopolyspora erythraea. Channel-Blockers lead to improved erythromycin production in either strain (Reeves et al., 2004, 2006). The Channel-Booster is designed for use in oil-based fermentations of S. erythraea (patent pending).
|
|
