TLN-05220
A genus of soil bacteria, Actinobacteria, are a well known source of antibiotics, including our compound of study. Our antibiotic of interest, TLN-05220, has two major components: a Type II Polyketide backbone, and a nitrogen ring. Our lab focuses attention on the nitrogen-ring-forming enzymes and other tailoring enzymes within the biosynthetic gene cluster. By manipulating genes and molecule production with microbiology techniques, we can create mutants that produce analogs of our molecule of interest. Utilizing methods including mass spectrometry allows us to ultimately elucidate the functions of various genes within the gene cluster. Further understanding the enzymes responsible for the nitrogen ring's production may provide a method of antibiotic modification.
Epoxomicin
Assembly lines such as non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) have the extraordinary ability to biosynthesize complex natural products. Using Epoxomicin as a model, our laboratory seeks to understand the mechanisms by which NRPSs operate and harness these insights in order to engineer a biosynthetic platform from which production of novel products with anti-cancer activity can be achieved on-demand. We are interested in manipulating elements such as intermodular communication and selectivity of NRPSs as a more rapid, low cost alternative to traditional medicinal synthesis.
