Generating Tethered Ribosomes
- Technology Benefits
- Enables mutation and evolution ofthe large ribosomal subunitAllows for incorporation ofunnatural amino acids
- Detailed Technology Description
- Novel method for generating tethered ribosomes#researchtool #method #reagent #biomedical
- *Abstract
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Northwestern researchers have developed a method for engineering ribosomes whose subunits do not dissociate during protein translation. These tethered ribosomes will expand the field of synthetic biology, as they enable researchers to genetically engineer the large subunit for the first time. In laboratory tests, a common bacterium Escherichia coli was successfully grown with some or all of its ribosomes replaced by the tethered ones. This engineered bacterium could be used for screening compounds that inhibit the ribosome (antibiotics) or to enhance biopharmaceutical production. Furthermore, mutations in the large ribosomal subunit could be exploited to change the preference of the ribosome for certain amino acids, thus generating ribosomes that preferentially incorporate unnatural amino acids. This invention holds promise for enhancing not only our understanding of ribosome biology, but also enabling synthetic biology advancement.
- *Inventors
- Michael C Jewett*Alexander S MankinCedric OrelleErik D CarlsonTeresa Szal
- Country/Region
- USA
