Lysolipin

Genetic and Biochemical Analysis of the Biosynthesis of the Antibiotic Lysolipin and Generation of Novel Optimised Derivatives

01/10/2023 to 30/09/2025

The aim of the PhD-project is to elucidate the lysolipin biosynthesis in detail based on the sequence data and the proposed biosynthetic pathway. The information obtained by this analysis should be used to
- Construct derivative(s) by structure optimisation via molecular biology strategies. The candidate compound(s) should have a tolerable cytotoxicity and optimized antibacterial activities (target Gram-negative pathogens and/or increased activity against Gram-positives).
- Optimize the antibiotic yield of the producer strain by engineering its primary metabolism aiming to direct the metabolic flux to the secondary metabolite.
These goals will be achieved by a combination of state-of-the-art fermentation technology, natural product chemistry and molecular biology. The project will be performed in close cooperation with colleagues who will support the project with mode of action studies, organic chemical synthesis and medicinal chemistry.