Synthetic DNA, Metabolic Modelling and Improving Biofuel Production Systems

DNA synthesis technology has greatly developed over recent years and is enabling the use of natural systems for various applications and the optimization of these systems for specific needs. In parallel, the understanding of metabolic networks in simple organisms and the development of modelling computational tools, such as flux variability analysis (FVA), allow for rational process design in natural systems. In this talk, we will address these two directions. We will describe current technologies for DNA synthesis and the application of synthetic DNA to optimize molecular regulation and other cellular components. We will describe the FVA methodology and demonstrate its application to modeling and optimizing ethanol production in a two-step fermentation process.