The team at Isomerase has access to a large collection of microbial strains, genome sequences, genome editing and bioinformatics tools. We specialise at supplying strain bioengineering and synthetic biology services. Our skilled team use a variety of techniques to facilitate a wide range of research projects across pharma and biotech, consumer goods, agritech, food and ingredients and functional materials.
Our Approach
Our focus is to understand the strain. Isomerase strain collection has been generated over the years using genomic tools and traditional culture methods. We engineer biology to deliver new routes to commercially attractive strains and products, with improved quality profiles, analogues and cost reduction.
What is strain bioengineering?
Following analysis of a strain genome sequence, we use synthetic biology tools in parallel with traditional microbiological techniques to modify the genetic code of the strain. We use this approach to alter the expression and production profile of target proteins, enzymes and biosynthetic pathways. .
Why choose Isomerase for your synthetic biology project or strain bioengineering services?
Isomerase was one of the first synthetic biology service companies when it was founded over 10 years ago. Since then, we have worked to maintain our industry presence by continuously investing in skills, equipment and technology.
Our synthetic biology and strain bioengineering services typically combine de novo synthesis of DNA with knowledge of genomics. As a result, we create novel strains, processes, and products with increased interest and value. We utilise both public genome databases and proprietary genome sequences from our own strain collection. The Isomerase strain collection contains over 20,000 Nagoya protocol-compliant prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms collected over the last few decades.
In addition to this, advances in the speed and cost of DNA synthesis and strain bioengineering technologies have allowed us to generate novel and faster processes and products. Thus, we can now supply synthetic biology services more cost-effectively than ever before. As a synthetic biology company and innovation partner, we work with a range of DNA synthesis providers, depending on the specifications. We also have experience working with highly complex DNA sequences and systems.
We help businesses conduct research by providing specialised expertise and services that can accelerate the pace of discovery and development. Outsourcing different aspects to a Synthetic Biology CRO allows businesses to focus on project areas where their expertise lies. In addition to such knowledge and skills, we provide access to specialised equipment and technologies that may not be cost-effective to maintain on site. Indeed, our Synthetic Biology consulting can help businesses conduct research in this impactful area more efficiently and effectively.
Our aim is to simplify synthetic biology to make these complex technologies widely available to our partners.
How can Isomerase help partners?
Isomerase, as a Synthetic Biology CRO and innovation partner, can help collaborators by providing access to a complex discipline via a range of services and consultancy support. We designed our Strain bioengineering services to help our collaborators achieve their goals through the power of synthetic biology. Synthetic Biology consulting can help businesses develop new products and optimise existing ones. The aim of these services is to help replace heritage chemical processes or enable access to new products with improved properties.
As a Synthetic Biology CRO, we can assist on:
- Designing synthetic DNA constructs that can be used to express existing or new proteins with desired properties.
- Using genome-editing technologies to modify the genomes of microorganisms.
- Optimising metabolic pathways or develop new bioproduction platforms.
- Expressing proteins, enzymes and peptides in a scalable manner using our IsoChassisTM hosts.
Moreover, synthetic biology often involves analysing and processing large amounts of biological data. Our bioinformatics team provide computational analysis and data interpretation to support lab-based research and development. For example, our proprietary technology, EvoSelect®, is a machine learning platform for enzyme engineering. This technology uses machine learning to help design new enzymes for use in biocatalysis or improve the properties of existing enzymes. It uses evolutionary information inherent in sequence alignments of a homology family to generate novel sequences with improved properties.
Finally, our expertise in developing and scaling upstream (USP) and downstream (DSP) bioprocesses facilitates ensures we have considered aspects from the initial design.
Example strain bioengineering services and synthetic biology projects
We have used our strain engineering services to facilitate:
- Direct engineering of modular enzymes. Recommended to produce novel products, such as polyketides, non-ribosomal peptides or enzymes.
- Machine learning enzyme engineering for the generation of novel enzymes or optimization of existing enzyme activities.
- Overexpression of specific genes or pathways. This strategy allows modified strains to express new products or increase titres of products of interest.
- Targeted deletion of genes, gene clusters or specific pathways. E.g. inactivate existing natural product biosynthetic pathways to alter the flux in a metabolic pathway or removing them to make a process more productive.
- Random mutagenesis using chemicals mutagens or UV. A classical approach for the generation of strains with improved product titre.
- Design, generation, and expression of biosynthetic pathways. This technique involves combining genes from different biosynthetic pathways to generate a novel product. These genes are expressed in an industrial strain such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae to generate a novel product of interest.
- Expression of metagenomic enzymes. From metagenomic sequences isolated from environmental samples, our bioinformatics experts identify genes encoding specific enzymes. Then, these enzymes are synthesised and expressed in industrial strains such as our IsoChassisTM hosts
- Scalable production of proteins, enzymes and peptides using our IsoChassisTM hosts
Why choose Isomerase?
Our team of scientists is highly experienced at engineering both eukaryotic and prokaryotic microbial strains. We have been applying our skills in strain engineering and gene editing technologies for decades. In particular, we are highly skilled at working with novel strains, where information and tools for genetic engineering are scarce.
We have over 10 years of experience running exceptional collaborations and partnerships. We collaborate with businesses in wide range of sectors, such as pharmaceutical, biotech, agrochemical or academic institutions. Through these collaborations, our partners have accessed a diverse range of expertise and resources, as well as enhancing their ability to develop and commercialise new products.
Browse our range of synthetic biology services, and get in touch with our team for more information.