Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new platform that significantly accelerates the process of mapping bacterial genes. By identifying the genetic triggers that turn microbes into efficient factories for chemicals and materials, this technology allows for the rapid reprogramming of bacteria for industrial use. The approach aims to support domestic production and improve the recovery of critical minerals, strengthening supply chain resilience.
The team combined synthetic biology expertise with artificial intelligence and statistical mapping techniques to evaluate bacterial traits. A key challenge was the lack of genetic variation in bacteria, which reproduce asexually. To solve this, scientists revived a 1970s technique known as protoplast fusion to cross bacterial strains and create a diverse population of offspring. This method works across various microbes, including those used for bioremediation and enzyme production.
Automation played a central role in the project. The team implemented robotic systems and computer vision models to handle the phenotyping process, which resulted in a speed increase of ten times compared to previous manual efforts. High-resolution imaging allowed for consistent data collection across thousands of samples, ensuring the reliability of the statistical models used to pin down specific DNA variants.
Josh Michener and Dan Jacobson led the multidisciplinary team that validated these findings through CRISPR gene editing. The platform is now available for licensing at the laboratory and is currently being deployed to engineer microbes for advanced manufacturing and environmental research. This work provides a foundation for more precise design in the field of biotechnology, moving beyond the study of whole genes to examine specific nucleotide sequences.