The goal of this project is to develop a host strain and
expression system that will allow high-level production of
natural and un-natural terpenoids in Escherichia coli. The
specific aims of this project are to: (1) maximize the
production of the isoprenoid precursor isopentyl diphosphate
in E. coli by expressing the genes for either the mevalonate-dependent
or the mevalonate-independent synthesis pathway using the
metabolic engineering tools developed in the Principal
Investigator's laboratory; (2) maximize production of the
primary precursors to the terpenoids: geranyl diphosphate,
farnesyl diphosphate, and geranylgernyldiphosphate; (3)
introduce into E. coli the genes for specific classes of
terpenoids and optimize production of these
"natural" terpenoids; and (4) use laboratory
evolution of terpene cyclases to produce novel terpenoids or
to change the distribution of products made by terpenoid
biosynthetic enzymes. This project is part of an Interagency
Activity in Metabolic Engineering and is to be funded by the
Office of Naval Research (ONR) and three Programs within
NSF.
