Fluorescent reporter libraries as useful tools for optimizing microbial cell factories: a review of the current methods and applications

• Main Authors: Frank eDelvigne, Hélène ePêcheux, Cédric eTarayre
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2015-09-01
• Series: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
• Subjects: Flow Cytometry; high-throughput; GFP; single cell; Mini-bioreactors
• Online Access: http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fbioe.2015.00147/full

The use of genetically encoded fluorescent reporters allows speeding up the initial optimization steps of microbial bioprocesses. These reporters can be used for determining the expression level of a particular promoter, the synthesis of a specific protein, but also the content of intracellular metabolites. The level of protein/metabolite is thus proportional to a fluorescence signal. By this way, mean expression profiles of protein/metabolites can be determined non-invasively at a high-throughput rate, allowing the rapid identification of the best producers. Actually, different kinds of reporter systems are available, as well as specific cultivation devices allowing the on-line recording of the fluorescent signal. Cell-to-cell variability is another important phenomenon that can be integrated into the screening procedures for the selection of more efficient microbial cell factories.