BacGen - September 2008
BacGen - May 2010
For more information about bacterial genetics or education/graduation projects mail to john.vanderoost@wur.nl
Staff:
John van der Oost (Professor, Group leader)
Sjon Hendriks (Technician)
Servé Kengen (CV) (Assistant Professor, Senior scientist)
Research:
The Laboratory of Microbiology investigates biotransformations of micro-organisms (Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya) by an integration of physiology, biochemistry, genetics and bio-informatics. In the Bacterial Genetics research group, molecular techniques are applied to gain insight in the biochemical and genetic adaptation of selected processes in distinct model Archaea and Bacteria: (i) thermophilic archaea, (ii) bacteria that degrade biomass and produce bio-fuels, and (iii) microbes that developed an anti-viral defense system. In these analyses a wide variety of biochemical analyses is crucial: in vitro transcription, footprinting, crystallization, mutagenesis (directed engineering as well as Laboratory Evolution), analysis of protein-protein interactions, DNA microarray analysis, proteomics. The focus of the ongoing research projects is on:
- gene identification & prediction; gene expression; protein purification & characterization; functional optimization of biosensors, biocatalysts and bioconversion routes by random & rational engineering;
regulation & signal transduction - structure-function analysis of specific and global regulators; protein regulators as well as small RNAs (CRISPRs); characterize control at transcription, translation & protein level;
genomics - comparative & functional genomics (transcriptome / proteome / metabolome); integration with physiology and biochemistry (Systems Biology);
The described research is primarily driven by our curiosity to reveal the molecular basis of selected microbial processes, by using a combination of in silico and experimental approaches. The long-term motivation to study these unique features is gaining insight in the functioning of key metabolic features, and their application in biotechnological processes in (i) agro-food & pharma industry, (ii) biofuel production, and (iii) viral-resistant cell factories.