CAREER: Optimizing Synthesis of Valuable Products from Plant Cell Cultures Through an Understanding of Metabolic Control and Variability - Bioengineering Research and Education

University Of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst MA

Investigators

Abstract

The objective of this project is to study the biosynthesis and degradation pathways of paclitaxel the variability of paclitaxel accumulation over time in Taxus cell suspension cultures. Two approaches outlined for this are increasing the biosynthesis of paclitaxel and minimizing degradation after production. The specific objectives of this project are to: (1) determine if the condensation of the nonside-chain taxanes with phenylisoserine is rate limiting, (2) characterize potential enzymatic and non-enzymatic degradative pathways of paclitaxel, (3) increase paclitaxel stability/solubility in the medium, (4) characterize and monitor genetic and metabolic variability in Taxus suspension cultures, (5) identify and characterize distinct cell subpopulations inn cultures, and (6) formulate mathematical models to describe paclitaxel metabolism.