EngBio - ECR's Meet, Greet and Talk

Cell-free systems as molecular tool for researching: From diagnostics to discovery novel natural products

Fernando Guzman-Chavez, Mexican National Council of Humanities, Sciences and Technologies (CONAHCyT) Biomedical Research Institute -UNAM. (visiting at the Department of Plant Sciences).

Cell-Free Proteins Synthesis (CFPS) was developed as in vitro systems that conjugates the mechanisms of transcription and translation of polypeptides.  Although initially used to comprehend the protein synthesis in living organisms. Recently, it has been employed as a powerful molecular tool for protein engineering, construction and characterization of genetic circuits, the engineering the minimal cell and as diagnostic device.  Taking advantage of the plasticity of this technology, we are adopting the system to create portable diagnostic devices for detection and monitoring pathogens that causes mortality, morbidity and significant economic losses around the world. Likewise, we are stablishing new protocols to use CFPS as a tool for  the discovery of new molecules to face  the main health-related challenges for the 21st century.

Fernando Guzman Chavez performed his BSc and MSc in biochemistry at the National Autonomous Univeristy of Mexico (UNAM). After, he studied a PhD in Biotechnology at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, where he  worked in the genetic engineering of Penicillium chrysogenum under supervision of Prof. Arnold Driessen. Following his interests in Synthetic Biology, he joined to Plant Sciences Department as PDRA at Haseloff’s lab, where he worked in cell-free system. Afterwards, he went back to Mexico to work in metabolic engineering  of actinomycetes. Currently, he is starting a new position as independent researcher for the Mexican National Council of Humanities, Sciences and Technologies (CONAHCyT) at the Biomedical Research Institute -UNAM.

Genetic tools for non-conventional gut bacteria: advancing microbiome-chemical interactions

Indra Roux, MRC Toxicology Unit

Chemical pollutants and other xenobiotics like medications are one of the largest contributors to the inter-individual variation of the gut microbiota. The interaction between xenobiotic compounds and bacteria is bidirectional, as chemicals can impact the growth and physiology of bacteria, while bacteria can modulate the effective concentration and toxicity of a chemical. Understanding the mechanisms and genetics underlying these interactions will help us predict the effects of xenobiotic exposure on the microbiome and develop diagnostics and solutions to improve health. To this end, we are expanding the genetic and synthetic biology toolbox for under-explored gut bacteria, enabling to interrogate chemical-bacteria interactions at a genome scale.

Indra Roux studied Biotechnology at the National University of Quilmes (Argentina). Following her interest in engineering microbial metabolism, she obtained a PhD at The University of Western Australia (Australia) in 2021, with a subsequent postdoc. In 2022 she joined the MRC Toxicology Unit as a postdoctoral researcher at Kiran Patil’s lab, where she is advancing genetic screens in unconventional gut bacteria to investigate chemical and ecological interactions. She also serves as a postdoctoral representative at the Engineering Biology IRC Cambridge.