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The Evidence for Evolution02:55

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Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
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Continuous directed evolution for strain and protein engineering.

Simon d'Oelsnitz1, Andrew Ellington1

  • 1Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas, 2500 Speedway, Austin, TX 78712, USA.

Current Opinion in Biotechnology
|February 15, 2018
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Continuous directed evolution, a synthetic biology approach, rapidly develops useful organisms and molecules through automated cycles. Recent innovations in culturing and mutagenesis enhance its efficiency for biotechnology applications.

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Area of Science:

  • Synthetic biology
  • Biotechnology
  • Protein engineering

Background:

  • Continuous directed evolution mimics a 'while loop' for autonomous cycles of mutation, selection, and replication.
  • This strategy accelerates the development of industrially relevant organisms, pathways, and molecules.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight recent advances in continuous directed evolution.
  • To demonstrate its capacity for rapid generation of biotechnologically valuable strains and proteins.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing novel cost-effective continuous culturing devices with open-source designs.
  • Implementing new in vivo targeted mutagenesis methods for continuous directed protein evolution.
  • Leveraging advances in automation for rational, semi-continuous directed evolution strategies.

Main Results:

  • Enhanced control over selection pressure in continuous culturing.
  • Successful continuous directed protein evolution across various organisms.
  • Reduced artefacts and parasites through automated evolution strategies.

Conclusions:

  • Continuous directed evolution is a powerful and increasingly accessible tool in synthetic biology.
  • Recent technological advancements have significantly improved the implementation and effectiveness of this engineering strategy.
  • This approach consistently proves its value in rapidly producing valuable biotechnological products.