Selection Method and Recombinant Microorganisms and uses Therefor

Abstract

One or more genes in a biosynthesis pathway for a vitamin or other essential nutrient which is needed for the survival of a microorganism can be used as an effective selective marker to identify cells transformed with an exogenous nucleic acid. The microorganism does not naturally contain or express the one or more gene. This permits genetic manipulations to be performed. It permits lower cost fermentations to be performed. It permits production of the essential nutrient for subsequent commodity use.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61 / 650,757 filed on 23 May 2012 which contents are incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to recombinant microorganisms, methods for the production of one or more products by fermentation, and selection methods.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Selectable (or selective) markers and agents are important for genetically modifying cells or microorganisms. They can be used to screen for cells with introduced DNA: A selectable marker protects the organism from the presence or absence of a selective agent that would normally kill it or prevent its growth. Usually antibiotic resistance genes are used as selectable markers, and the respective antibiotic as selective agent.[0004]Use of selectable agents like antibiotics adds significant costs to a process like an industrial fermentation. Some antibiotics are also not or only...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a method for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from an industrial process. This is accomplished by using a substrate made of CO. The technical effect of this invention is to help decrease the amount of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere from industrial processes.

Problems solved by technology

Use of selectable agents like antibiotics adds significant costs to a process like an industrial fermentation.

Some antibiotics are also not or only poorly soluble in water and need to be dissolved in solvents.

This adds further costs and potentially has a negative effect on the microbial cells; for example, chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol need to be dissolved in Ethanol or Dimethylformamide (DMF), respectively.

Some organisms are also naturally resistant to some antibiotics and so they can not be used as selectable agents.

In addition, some antibiotic substances get inactivated or cannot be used under typical process conditions.

However, these also require the addition of compounds to the media which are not otherwise needed, increasing expense.

However, these can be toxic to the cells and the products produced undesirable in commercial fermentation reactions.

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