The aim of our project goes beyond executing an individual project. Our contribution for the iGEM community extends to providing valuable resources that future teams can utilize and improve.
Vanillin Pathways
Our main goal was to refine and improve the techniques for synthesizing vanillin, a highly demanded flavour compound, using microbial engineering. We took a comparative approach by analysing different versions of previous research studies that aimed to generate vanillin from synthetic pathways. This comparison helped us to identify the most efficient genetic circuits and gene combinations for converting tyrosine, a precursor amino acid, into vanillin.
Through the combination of established and new methods, we refined synthetic biology techniques, contributing deeper insights into the optimization of vanillin biosynthesis.
Potential for other fragrances…
Tyrosine can also be used to synthesize other compounds, such as raspberry ketone, a popular fragrance used in perfumes and flavouring. Additional studies have demonstrated the feasibility of producing raspberry ketone through engineered pathways involving tyrosine【https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34112158/】.
Our project’s methods and improved genetic parts can serve as a base for future teams interested in expanding synthetic biology into other fragrance or flavour compounds. With the help of our methods, iGEM teams could use our work to create entirely new biosynthetic pathways, enabling more efficient production of tyrosine-derived compounds.
Enhanced Genetic Parts – COMT-6714
To improve the efficiency of our synthetic pathway, we incorporated a key enzyme, COMT-6714, which we sourced from GeneBank (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31461264/】.
COMT-6714 (catechol-O-methyltransferase) plays a key role in the methylation process, a critical step in the production of vanillin and other related compounds.
Future iGEM teams can incorporate or adjust the use of COMT-6714 in their projects, especially when focusing on aromatic compounds.
Modelling
A major aspect of our contribution is the development of an interactive computational model. It was designed to support future iGEM teams in the synthetic production of vanillin.
This feature enables users to model the complete vanillin biosynthetic pathway, starting from tyrosine.
This module allows teams to enter their desired starting concentration of tyrosine (in mg/L) and select different versions of genetic constructs we tested in our study.
The model determines the impact of changing factors on vanillin production. By allowing teams to test different conditions before heading into the lab,
it helps with efficient planning and saves time, effort, and resources. Moreover, it has the potential to stimulate novel routes or substitute materials for manufacturing.
Additionally, it can inspire new pathways or alternative compounds for production. Teams may modify the module for similar compounds derived from tyrosine, allowing the community to build off our work for other projects within synthetic biology.
Project Description
Human Practices
Notebook
Engineering
Team
