Stabilization of PET Operon Plasmids and Ethanol Production in Bacterial Strains Lacking Dehydrogenase and Pyruvate Formate Lyase Activities

Technology Description:

The invention is a way to stabilize bacterial strains used in ethanol production for improved efficiency. The technology involves the insertion of two genes responsible for the production of the enzymes, alcohol dehydrogenase (adh) and pyruvate decarboxyhlase (pdc), allowing mutant bacterial strains to maintain high ethanol productivity. Current organisms designed to increase ethanol production require the addition of antibiotics to maintain genetic stability and high ethanol production. However, this step has drawbacks because of environmental and economical concerns. The invention allows bacteria engineered with the two genes to grow in an anaerobic environment, maintaining the inserted genes and high ethanol production without antibiotics. Cells that lose these genes are unable to grow and divide in an anaerobic environment, rendering the organism unstable in ethanol production.

Reference:

Please refer to Patent Number 6,280,986, which issued August 28, 2001.

Inventors:

Rodney J. Bothast Fermentation Biochemistry Research Peoria, IL 61604 (309) 681-6566 / Fax: (309) 681-6427 rbothast@mail.ncaur.usda.gov	Herbert A. Wyckoff 10444 Palace Court Roscoe, IL  61073
Bruce S. Dien (Same as first inventor) (309) 681-6270 / Fax: (309) 681-6427 dienb@mail.ncaur.usda.gov	David A. Odelson 11434 Wide Valley Lane San Diego, CA  92131