One-step transformation of microorganisms

Abstract

This project aims to develop products that simplify the laboratory methods used for the genetic improvement of microorganisms with commercial potential that can be applied in biotechnology, in areas such as food industry, environment or energy. These products will constitute a new methodological paradigm through its simplicity and will substitute classical procedures that are more time-consuming, more expensive and technically more demanding. Transformation of microorganisms (introducing DNA into microorganisms for a genetic improvement) is a cumbersome procedure normally needing three main steps, namely: (1) preparation of microorganisms (weakening of natural barriers to receive foreign DNA); (2) a shock step (normally through an electric pulse, jump in temperature or by using ultrasounds); and finally the (3) a recovery step in which the microorganisms are grown in rich medium to recover from the previous step. With our technology we envisage attaining transformation in a single step through spreading microorganisms and foreign DNA on novel transformation petri-dishes.