Redox-sensitive Proteins

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Background: Stanford University researchers have developed a protein expression system for synthesizing functional redox-sensitive proteins in an ambient environment containing oxygen. This expression system can be used to produce biohydrogen, by engineering it to express iron-only hydrogenases that produce hydrogen from water. The system uses filamentous cyanobacteria for protein expression. These bacteria include nitrogen-fixing cells, called heterocysts, which provide the necessary anaerobic environment for synthesizing redox-sensitive proteins for commercial production or research purposes.    Applications: Alternative energy production - genetically engineered cyanobacteria can produce hydrogen from water Redox-sensitive protein synthesis - produce proteins for research purposes or commercial production   Advantages: Environmentally-friendly - hydrogen produced without the use of petroleum products Cost savings - synthesis of redox-sensitive proteins does not require an anaerobic reactor Tightly regulated expression - expression is regulated both spatially and temporally by promoters that are activated in low-oxygen environments   Stage of Research: The innovators have completed a proof-of-concept study in which the cyanobacteria were engineered to produce a hydrogenase. These genetically engineered cells produced significantly more hydrogen than control cells.   Innovators & Portfolio: Wing-On Ng    Alfred Spormann   more technologies from Alfred Spormann »