Light-driven biosynthesis of natural products: synthetic biology approaches

Abstract

This research initiative is based on the use of new methodologies for designing chloroplasts from plants in different biological systems aiming the biosynthesis of active natural products. The main strategy will be accomplished through the redirection of biosynthetic pathways (towards the chloroplast) of some important classes of natural products, and also by the optimization of the electrons transfer from photosystem I. In addition, with the handling of cytochrome P450 (located in the endoplasmic reticulum) it is intended to plan all the enzymatic machinery in order to conduct the synthesis of complex natural products by light reactions. Through the use of these methods, some limitations can be overcome; photosynthetic canalization for carbon fixation and consequently the decrease of the power in the synthesis of natural products with aggregate market value. This proposal opens new perspectives for research in bio-engineering aspects, since it can bring meaningful headways in the design of drugs and pesticides. As a whole, it will likely demonstrate how synthetic biology approaches can expand the basic knowledge, based on the principles of "sharing of biological systems", and mainly to reveal new opportunities for Brazilian science. (AU)