ORNL developed a platform using automation and artificial intelligence to rapidly identify beneficial genetic traits in microbes, supporting the engineering of strains for industrial biotechnology and manufacturing. Credit: Andy Sproles/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy
Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have created a platform that pinpoints genetic triggers that turn microbes into efficient factories for new chemicals and materials. The method enables rapid, precise reprogramming of bacteria as biotechnology tools, supporting domestic production of valuable products and recovery of critical minerals and materials to enhance the nation's supply chains and global competitiveness.
Scientists leveraged synthetic biology expertise, artificial intelligence and statistical mapping techniques to rapidly assess bacterial traits and precisely identify candidate genes that trigger desired characteristics. They then validated their findings with gene editing, as described in ture Communications.
The approach builds on previous work by ORNL scientists who adapted a technique called protoplast fusion to create the diverse microbial offspring needed for genetic mapping.
