Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

11:04
Methods for Electroporation and Transformation Confirmation in Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM20016
Published on: June 23, 2023
Genetic engineering of Lactobacillus diolivorans
Stefan Pflügl1, Hans Marx, Diethard Mattanovich
1School of Bioengineering, FH Campus Wien - University of Applied Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
FEMS Microbiology Letters
|May 4, 2013
Summary
We created genetic tools for Lactobacillus diolivorans to produce 1,3-propanediol. This enables enhanced production by overcoming transformation barriers and overexpressing key enzymes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Synthetic Biology
- Metabolic Engineering
Background:
- Lactobacillus diolivorans is a key organism for producing 1,3-propanediol from glycerol.
- Genetic manipulation tools are essential for optimizing its production capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a genetic toolbox for Lactobacillus diolivorans.
- To enable efficient homologous and heterologous protein expression.
- To enhance 1,3-propanediol production.
Main Methods:
- Developed a novel expression plasmid (pSHM) based on L. diolivorans replication origin.
- Utilized the native glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase promoter for gene expression.
- Demonstrated functional gene expression via green fluorescent protein and enzyme overexpression.
Main Results:
- Identified absence of native plasmid and DNA methylation as crucial for transformation.
- Constructed pSHM plasmid for robust protein expression.
- Achieved 40-60 fold increase in fluorescence with GFP expression.
- Improved 1,3-propanediol production by 20% through enzyme overexpression.
Conclusions:
- Established a reliable genetic manipulation system for Lactobacillus diolivorans.
- The developed toolbox facilitates metabolic engineering for enhanced 1,3-propanediol synthesis.
- This work paves the way for industrial applications of L. diolivorans in biorefining.
Related Concept Videos
Bioreactor Controls-III
Strain improvement is a foundational strategy in industrial microbiology aimed at maximizing microbial productivity, particularly because natural isolates typically yield commercially valuable products in very low concentrations. Although optimizing the culture medium and environmental conditions can improve yields, these adjustments are inherently limited by the organism’s genetic potential. As a result, the focus shifts toward genetic modifications to enhance biosynthetic capacity. The...
Microbes in Food Production
Microbial fermentation is central to food biotechnology, enhancing flavor, texture, preservation, and stability. Fermentative microorganisms metabolize carbohydrates into organic acids, alcohols, and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and improve digestibility while contributing distinctive sensory qualities.In baking, amylases naturally present in flour hydrolyze starch into monosaccharides such as glucose, which Saccharomyces cerevisiae ferments anaerobically. Through...
Inducible Operons: lac Operon
The lac operon in Escherichia coli is a model for understanding inducible gene regulation and metabolic flexibility. It integrates local control by lactose and global regulation through catabolite repression, enabling E. coli to preferentially metabolize glucose when available and switch to lactose utilization when glucose is scarce.Structure and Function of the lac OperonThe lac operon contains three structural genes: lacZ (β-galactosidase), lacY (lactose permease), and lacA (thiogalactoside...
The Central Dogma
The central dogma explains the flow of genetic information from DNA nucleotides to the amino acid sequence of proteins.
RNA is the Missing Link Between DNA and Proteins
In the early 1900s, scientists discovered that DNA stores all the information needed for cellular functions and that proteins perform most of these functions. However, the mechanisms of converting genetic information into functional proteins remained unknown for many years. Initially, it was believed that a single gene is...
RNA is the Missing Link Between DNA and Proteins
In the early 1900s, scientists discovered that DNA stores all the information needed for cellular functions and that proteins perform most of these functions. However, the mechanisms of converting genetic information into functional proteins remained unknown for many years. Initially, it was believed that a single gene is...
Production of Organic Acids
Lactic acid, an important organic acid extensively applied in food, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable polymer industries, is primarily produced via microbial fermentation. This method is favored over chemical synthesis due to its environmental sustainability and capacity for enantiomerically pure product formation. Among various microbial processes, the fermentation of starch-based substrates stands out due to the abundance and renewability of raw materials like corn and potatoes.Hydrolysis of...
Production of Pharmaceuticals
Industrial insulin production uses genetically engineered E. coli expressing a proinsulin gene controlled by a tryptophan promoter and containing a methionine linker for later cleavage. The cells also carry ampicillin resistance for selective growth. Seed cultures are stored at −80 °C and production begins by thawing a small amount to inoculate starter cultures, which are progressively scaled to a 50,000-L bioreactor. In the bioreactor, E. coli grow in nutrient-rich media under sterile, tightly...

