Essential genes as antimicrobial targets and cornerstones of synthetic biology.

Department of Microbiology, Institute of Plant Biology, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland. mario.juhas@uzh.ch

Trends in biotechnology 2012 Nov

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Essential genes are absolutely required for the survival of any living entity. Investigation of essential genes is therefore expected to advance tremendously our understanding of the universal principles of life. Determination of a minimal set of essential genes needed to sustain life also plays an important role in the emerging field of synthetic biology, whose goals include creation of a stringently controlled minimal cell with predesigned phenotypic traits. In addition, due to their indispensability for survival of bacteria, genes encoding essential cellular functions have great potential in medicine as promising targets for the development of novel antimicrobials. Here, we review recent advances in the investigation of essential genes, with emphasis on the practical applications in medicine and synthetic biology. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Citation

Mario Juhas, Leo Eberl, George M Church. Essential genes as antimicrobial targets and cornerstones of synthetic biology. Trends in biotechnology. 2012 Nov;30(11):601-7