Genome Editing Towards Efficient and Robust Green Cell Factories, CyanoEd

Purpose and goal:

The aim of the project Genome editing towards efficient and robust green cell factories, CyanoEd is to develop, implement, and demonstrate functional genome/ CRISPR editing in cyanobacteria cells modified to produce a hydrocarbon (isobutanol) from CO2 and solar energy. CyanoEd will demonstrate significantly improved isobutanol production as result of successful CRISPR editing (proof-of-concept).

Expected results and effects:

CyanoEd will demonstrate a successful implementation of a CRISPR technology to modify green cell factories (cyanobacteria) to produce even higher levels of the selected hydrocarbon isobutanol. Development of a technology that can be used generally when engineering cyanobacteria for biotechnological applications as green cell factories.

Approach and implementation:

CyanoEd consists of 3 distinct parts. i) Identification of enzymatic steps (targets) to be regulated, ii) Design and implementation of genome/CRISPR editing in cyanobacteria cells, and iii) Demonstration of significantly improved product formation as result of successful implementation of CRISPR editing (proof of concept). Bioinformatic analyses, design & molecular tools/parts to perform the CRISPR technology followed by experimental work to implement the technology before finally analyze the effects on product formation in the modified cyanobacterial cells