Novartis Finance Corporation

Snezana Neff

Thomas Schupp

John A Ryals

James Madison Ligon

James Joseph Beck

Dwight Steven Hill

James M Ligon

Samir Jaoua

The present invention is directed to the production of a polyketide antibiotic such as soraphen in a host via recombinant expression of the polypeptides needed to biologically synthesize the polyketide antibiotic. Polyketide synthase (PKS) genes encoding polypeptides necessary to synthesize soraphen are provided, along with methods for identifying and isolating the PKS genes needed to recombinantly biosynthesize any desired polyketide antibiotic. The cloned PKS genes may be transformed and expressed in a desired host organisms to produce soraphen for a variety of purposes, including protecting the host from a pathogen, developing the host as a biocontrol agent, and producing large, uniform amounts of soraphen.

Genes for the biosynthesis of soraphen

DNA sequences involved in soraphen biosynthesis by myxobacteria

The present invention relates to a novel process for the genetic manipulation of myxobacteria, preferably of myxobacteria of the Sorangium/Polyangium group, which makes it possible for the first time specifically to apply recombinant DNA techniques to this group of organisms. The technical implementation of this process is based primarily on the preparation of recombinant DNA molecules which, by reason of their specific construction, are able to integrate genes or DNA sequences which code, where appropriate, for novel and desirable properties, with the aid of homologous recombination at sites, which are accurately defined by reason of the homologies present, within the bacterial genome, and on the insertion thereof into the myxobacterial cell.

Process for the genetic manipulation of myxobacteria

Growing community of inventors

Bubendorf, Switzerland

Snezana Neff