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BIT 558 Directed Evolution
Designing new enzymes and/or pathways for production of useful molecules is an important goal of biotechnology. However, a limited understanding of structure-function relationships and complete biological pathways makes rational design extremely challenging, even in the 21st century. Using a "survival of the fittest" scheme to have various possible enzymes and/or pathways compete can quickly yield useful results. We will discuss the approach to directing evolution towards particular goals through selective pressures and careful experimental design. In lecture, we will cover different approaches to and targets of directed evolution and how to validate a mutant phenotype created through this method. In lab, we will demonstrate approaches to directed evolution by using both specific protein and whole microbe targets.
Typically offered in Spring only