Model-based metabolic engineering - from genome-scale networks to improved microbial cell factories

HORARIO: martes 28 de marzo de 2017, 12:00

LUGAR: Salón de Grados, Facultad de Biología, Campus de Espinardo, Universidad de Murcia

TÍTULO: Model-based metabolic engineering - from genome-scale networks to improved microbial cell factories

RESUMEN: The field of Metabolic Engineering (ME) has gained a major importance, since it allows the design of improved microorganisms for industrial applications, starting with wild-type strains that usually have low production capabilities in terms of the target compounds. The ultimate aim of ME is to identify genetic manipulations in silico leading to improved microbial strains, that can be implemented using novel molecular biology techniques. This task, however, is a complex one, requiring the existence of reliable metabolic models for strain simulation and robust optimization algorithms for target identification. Strain simulation is usually performed by using Genome-scale stoichiometric models and Linear or Quadratic Programing methods that assume a steady state over the intracellular metabolites. Strain design adds one level of complexity as it requires the formulation of bi-level optimization problems that can be tackled with Evolutionary algorithms. In this talk, I will go through the main concepts of genome-scale modelling and the simulation and design of microbial cell factories while describing our group's main contributions to the field.

PONENTE: Isabel Rocha - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho. Main creator of the OptFlux platform for Metabolic Engineering. Currently involved in the international research projects related to bioinformatics services for data-driven design of cell Factories and communities and the analysis and optimization of industrial microorganisms under dynamic process conditions.

IDIOMA: inglés

DURACIÓN TOTAL ESTIMADA: 90 minutos