1
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Scheele R, Weber Y, Nintzel FEH, Herger M, Kaminski TS, Hollfelder F. Ultrahigh Throughput Evolution of Tryptophan Synthase in Droplets via an Aptamer Sensor. ACS Catal 2024; 14:6259-6271. [PMID: 38660603 PMCID: PMC11036396 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.4c00230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Tryptophan synthase catalyzes the synthesis of a wide array of noncanonical amino acids and is an attractive target for directed evolution. Droplet microfluidics offers an ultrahigh throughput approach to directed evolution (up to 107 experiments per day), enabling the search for biocatalysts in wider regions of sequence space with reagent consumption minimized to the picoliter volume (per library member). While the majority of screening campaigns in this format on record relied on an optically active reaction product, a new assay is needed for tryptophan synthase. Tryptophan is not fluorogenic in the visible light spectrum and thus falls outside the scope of conventional droplet microfluidic readouts, which are incompatible with UV light detection at high throughput. Here, we engineer a tryptophan DNA aptamer into a sensor to quantitatively report on tryptophan production in droplets. The utility of the sensor was validated by identifying five-fold improved tryptophan synthases from ∼100,000 protein variants. More generally, this work establishes the use of DNA-aptamer sensors with a fluorogenic read-out in widening the scope of droplet microfluidic evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remkes
A. Scheele
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K.
| | - Yanik Weber
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K.
| | | | - Michael Herger
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K.
| | - Tomasz S. Kaminski
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K.
- Department
of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Florian Hollfelder
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K.
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2
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Andersson D, Kebede FT, Escobar M, Österlund T, Ståhlberg A. Principles of digital sequencing using unique molecular identifiers. Mol Aspects Med 2024; 96:101253. [PMID: 38367531 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2024.101253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Massively parallel sequencing technologies have long been used in both basic research and clinical routine. The recent introduction of digital sequencing has made previously challenging applications possible by significantly improving sensitivity and specificity to now allow detection of rare sequence variants, even at single molecule level. Digital sequencing utilizes unique molecular identifiers (UMIs) to minimize sequencing-induced errors and quantification biases. Here, we discuss the principles of UMIs and how they are used in digital sequencing. We outline the properties of different UMI types and the consequences of various UMI approaches in relation to experimental protocols and bioinformatics. Finally, we describe how digital sequencing can be applied in specific research fields, focusing on cancer management where it can be used in screening of asymptomatic individuals, diagnosis, treatment prediction, prognostication, monitoring treatment efficacy and early detection of treatment resistance as well as relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Andersson
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 90, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Firaol Tamiru Kebede
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 90, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mandy Escobar
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 90, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tobias Österlund
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 90, Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 413 90, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anders Ståhlberg
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 90, Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 413 90, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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3
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Weber Y, Böck D, Ivașcu A, Mathis N, Rothgangl T, Ioannidi EI, Blaudt AC, Tidecks L, Vadovics M, Muramatsu H, Reichmuth A, Marquart KF, Kissling L, Pardi N, Jinek M, Schwank G. Enhancing prime editor activity by directed protein evolution in yeast. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2092. [PMID: 38453904 PMCID: PMC10920827 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46107-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Prime editing is a highly versatile genome editing technology that enables the introduction of base substitutions, insertions, and deletions. However, compared to traditional Cas9 nucleases prime editors (PEs) are less active. In this study we use OrthoRep, a yeast-based platform for directed protein evolution, to enhance the editing efficiency of PEs. After several rounds of evolution with increased selection pressure, we identify multiple mutations that have a positive effect on PE activity in yeast cells and in biochemical assays. Combining the two most effective mutations - the A259D amino acid substitution in nCas9 and the K445T substitution in M-MLV RT - results in the variant PE_Y18. Delivery of PE_Y18, encoded on DNA, mRNA or as a ribonucleoprotein complex into mammalian cell lines increases editing rates up to 3.5-fold compared to PEmax. In addition, PE_Y18 supports higher prime editing rates when delivered in vivo into the liver or brain. Our study demonstrates proof-of-concept for the application of OrthoRep to optimize genome editing tools in eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanik Weber
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Desirée Böck
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anastasia Ivașcu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Mathis
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Rothgangl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eleonora I Ioannidi
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alex C Blaudt
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Tidecks
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Máté Vadovics
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hiromi Muramatsu
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andreas Reichmuth
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kim F Marquart
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Kissling
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Norbert Pardi
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Martin Jinek
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gerald Schwank
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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4
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Schmidheini L, Mathis N, Marquart KF, Rothgangl T, Kissling L, Böck D, Chanez C, Wang JP, Jinek M, Schwank G. Continuous directed evolution of a compact CjCas9 variant with broad PAM compatibility. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:333-343. [PMID: 37735239 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01427-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering is a powerful technology for correcting genetic diseases. However, the targeting range of Cas9 proteins is limited by their requirement for a protospacer adjacent motif (PAM), and in vivo delivery is challenging due to their large size. Here, we use phage-assisted continuous directed evolution to broaden the PAM compatibility of Campylobacter jejuni Cas9 (CjCas9), the smallest Cas9 ortholog characterized to date. The identified variant, termed evoCjCas9, primarily recognizes N4AH and N5HA PAM sequences, which occur tenfold more frequently in the genome than the canonical N3VRYAC PAM site. Moreover, evoCjCas9 exhibits higher nuclease activity than wild-type CjCas9 on canonical PAMs, with editing rates comparable to commonly used PAM-relaxed SpCas9 variants. Combined with deaminases or reverse transcriptases, evoCjCas9 enables robust base and prime editing, with the small size of evoCjCas9 base editors allowing for tissue-specific installation of A-to-G or C-to-T transition mutations from single adeno-associated virus vector systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Schmidheini
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Mathis
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kim Fabiano Marquart
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Rothgangl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Kissling
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Desirée Böck
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christelle Chanez
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Martin Jinek
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gerald Schwank
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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5
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Schmitt LT, Schneider A, Posorski J, Lansing F, Jelicic M, Jain M, Sayed S, Buchholz F, Sürün D. Quantification of evolved DNA-editing enzymes at scale with DEQSeq. Genome Biol 2023; 24:254. [PMID: 37932818 PMCID: PMC10626641 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03097-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We introduce DEQSeq, a nanopore sequencing approach that rationalizes the selection of favorable genome editing enzymes from directed molecular evolution experiments. With the ability to capture full-length sequences, editing efficiencies, and specificities from thousands of evolved enzymes simultaneously, DEQSeq streamlines the process of identifying the most valuable variants for further study and application. We apply DEQSeq to evolved libraries of Cas12f-ABEs and designer-recombinases, identifying variants with improved properties for future applications. Our results demonstrate that DEQSeq is a powerful tool for accelerating enzyme discovery and advancing genome editing research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Theo Schmitt
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, UCC Section Medical Systems Biology, Dresden, TU Dresden, 01307, Germany
- Present Address: Seamless Therapeutics GmbH, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Aksana Schneider
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, UCC Section Medical Systems Biology, Dresden, TU Dresden, 01307, Germany
- Present Address: Seamless Therapeutics GmbH, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jonas Posorski
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, UCC Section Medical Systems Biology, Dresden, TU Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Felix Lansing
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, UCC Section Medical Systems Biology, Dresden, TU Dresden, 01307, Germany
- Present Address: Seamless Therapeutics GmbH, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Milica Jelicic
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, UCC Section Medical Systems Biology, Dresden, TU Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Manavi Jain
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, UCC Section Medical Systems Biology, Dresden, TU Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Shady Sayed
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, UCC Section Medical Systems Biology, Dresden, TU Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Frank Buchholz
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, UCC Section Medical Systems Biology, Dresden, TU Dresden, 01307, Germany.
| | - Duran Sürün
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, UCC Section Medical Systems Biology, Dresden, TU Dresden, 01307, Germany.
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6
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Gantz M, Neun S, Medcalf EJ, van Vliet LD, Hollfelder F. Ultrahigh-Throughput Enzyme Engineering and Discovery in In Vitro Compartments. Chem Rev 2023; 123:5571-5611. [PMID: 37126602 PMCID: PMC10176489 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Novel and improved biocatalysts are increasingly sourced from libraries via experimental screening. The success of such campaigns is crucially dependent on the number of candidates tested. Water-in-oil emulsion droplets can replace the classical test tube, to provide in vitro compartments as an alternative screening format, containing genotype and phenotype and enabling a readout of function. The scale-down to micrometer droplet diameters and picoliter volumes brings about a >107-fold volume reduction compared to 96-well-plate screening. Droplets made in automated microfluidic devices can be integrated into modular workflows to set up multistep screening protocols involving various detection modes to sort >107 variants a day with kHz frequencies. The repertoire of assays available for droplet screening covers all seven enzyme commission (EC) number classes, setting the stage for widespread use of droplet microfluidics in everyday biochemical experiments. We review the practicalities of adapting droplet screening for enzyme discovery and for detailed kinetic characterization. These new ways of working will not just accelerate discovery experiments currently limited by screening capacity but profoundly change the paradigms we can probe. By interfacing the results of ultrahigh-throughput droplet screening with next-generation sequencing and deep learning, strategies for directed evolution can be implemented, examined, and evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Gantz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Stefanie Neun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Elliot J Medcalf
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Liisa D van Vliet
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Florian Hollfelder
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
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7
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Medcalf EJ, Gantz M, Kaminski TS, Hollfelder F. Ultra-High-Throughput Absorbance-Activated Droplet Sorting for Enzyme Screening at Kilohertz Frequencies. Anal Chem 2023; 95:4597-4604. [PMID: 36848587 PMCID: PMC10018449 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Droplet microfluidics is a valuable method to "beat the odds" in high throughput screening campaigns such as directed evolution, where valuable hits are infrequent and large library sizes are required. Absorbance-based sorting expands the range of enzyme families that can be subjected to droplet screening by expanding possible assays beyond fluorescence detection. However, absorbance-activated droplet sorting (AADS) is currently ∼10-fold slower than typical fluorescence-activated droplet sorting (FADS), meaning that, in comparison, a larger portion of sequence space is inaccessible due to throughput constraints. Here we improve AADS to reach kHz sorting speeds in an order of magnitude increase over previous designs, with close-to-ideal sorting accuracy. This is achieved by a combination of (i) the use of refractive index matching oil that improves signal quality by removal of side scattering (increasing the sensitivity of absorbance measurements); (ii) a sorting algorithm capable of sorting at this increased frequency with an Arduino Due; and (iii) a chip design that transmits product detection better into sorting decisions without false positives, namely a single-layered inlet to space droplets further apart and injections of "bias oil" providing a fluidic barrier preventing droplets from entering the incorrect sorting channel. The updated ultra-high-throughput absorbance-activated droplet sorter increases the effective sensitivity of absorbance measurements through better signal quality at a speed that matches the more established fluorescence-activated sorting devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot J Medcalf
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, CB2 1GA Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Maximilian Gantz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, CB2 1GA Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Tomasz S Kaminski
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, CB2 1GA Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Florian Hollfelder
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, CB2 1GA Cambridge, United Kingdom
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8
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Wei H, Li X. Deep mutational scanning: A versatile tool in systematically mapping genotypes to phenotypes. Front Genet 2023; 14:1087267. [PMID: 36713072 PMCID: PMC9878224 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1087267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Unveiling how genetic variations lead to phenotypic variations is one of the key questions in evolutionary biology, genetics, and biomedical research. Deep mutational scanning (DMS) technology has allowed the mapping of tens of thousands of genetic variations to phenotypic variations efficiently and economically. Since its first systematic introduction about a decade ago, we have witnessed the use of deep mutational scanning in many research areas leading to scientific breakthroughs. Also, the methods in each step of deep mutational scanning have become much more versatile thanks to the oligo-synthesizing technology, high-throughput phenotyping methods and deep sequencing technology. However, each specific possible step of deep mutational scanning has its pros and cons, and some limitations still await further technological development. Here, we discuss recent scientific accomplishments achieved through the deep mutational scanning and describe widely used methods in each step of deep mutational scanning. We also compare these different methods and analyze their advantages and disadvantages, providing insight into how to design a deep mutational scanning study that best suits the aims of the readers' projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijin Wei
- Zhejiang University—University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University, Haining, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xianghua Li
- Zhejiang University—University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University, Haining, Zhejiang, China,Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom,The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Biomedical and Health Translational Centre of Zhejiang Province, Haining, Zhejiang, China,*Correspondence: Xianghua Li,
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9
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Neun S, van Vliet L, Hollfelder F, Gielen F. High-Throughput Steady-State Enzyme Kinetics Measured in a Parallel Droplet Generation and Absorbance Detection Platform. Anal Chem 2022; 94:16701-16710. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c03164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Neun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Liisa van Vliet
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Florian Hollfelder
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Fabrice Gielen
- Living Systems Institute and College of Engineering Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, U.K
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10
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Molina RS, Rix G, Mengiste AA, Alvarez B, Seo D, Chen H, Hurtado J, Zhang Q, Donato García-García J, Heins ZJ, Almhjell PJ, Arnold FH, Khalil AS, Hanson AD, Dueber JE, Schaffer DV, Chen F, Kim S, Ángel Fernández L, Shoulders MD, Liu CC. In vivo hypermutation and continuous evolution. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2022; 2:37. [PMID: 37073402 PMCID: PMC10108624 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-022-00130-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rosana S. Molina
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Gordon Rix
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Amanuella A. Mengiste
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Beatriz Alvarez
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Darwin 3, Campus UAM Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daeje Seo
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Haiqi Chen
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Juan Hurtado
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jorge Donato García-García
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Av. General Ramon Corona 2514, Nuevo Mexico, C.P. 45138, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Zachary J. Heins
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Patrick J. Almhjell
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Frances H. Arnold
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Ahmad S. Khalil
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrew D. Hanson
- Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - John E. Dueber
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California Berkeley and San Francisco, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - David V. Schaffer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California Berkeley and San Francisco, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Fei Chen
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Seokhee Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Luis Ángel Fernández
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Darwin 3, Campus UAM Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Matthew D. Shoulders
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Chang C. Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
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11
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Al'Abri IS, Haller DJ, Li Z, Crook N. Inducible directed evolution of complex phenotypes in bacteria. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:e58. [PMID: 35150576 PMCID: PMC9177967 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Directed evolution is a powerful method for engineering biology in the absence of detailed sequence-function relationships. To enable directed evolution of complex phenotypes encoded by multigene pathways, we require large library sizes for DNA sequences >5–10 kb in length, elimination of genomic hitchhiker mutations, and decoupling of diversification and screening steps. To meet these challenges, we developed Inducible Directed Evolution (IDE), which uses a temperate bacteriophage to package large plasmids and transfer them to naive cells after intracellular mutagenesis. To demonstrate IDE, we evolved a 5-gene pathway from Bacillus licheniformis that accelerates tagatose catabolism in Escherichia coli, resulting in clones with 65% shorter lag times during growth on tagatose after only two rounds of evolution. Next, we evolved a 15.4 kb, 10-gene pathway from Bifidobacterium breve UC2003 that aids E. coli’s utilization of melezitose. After three rounds of IDE, we isolated evolved pathways that both reduced lag time by more than 2-fold and enabled 150% higher final optical density. Taken together, this work enhances the capacity and utility of a whole pathway directed evolution approach in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim S Al'Abri
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Daniel J Haller
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Zidan Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Nathan Crook
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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12
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Gantz M, Aleku GA, Hollfelder F. Ultrahigh-throughput screening in microfluidic droplets: a faster route to new enzymes. Trends Biochem Sci 2021; 47:451-452. [PMID: 34848125 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Gantz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Ct Rd, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Godwin A Aleku
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Ct Rd, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Florian Hollfelder
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Ct Rd, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK.
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13
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Klaus M, Zurek PJ, Kaminski TS, Pushpanath A, Neufeld K, Hollfelder F. Ultrahigh-Throughput Detection of Enzymatic Alcohol Dehydrogenase Activity in Microfluidic Droplets with a Direct Fluorogenic Assay. Chembiochem 2021; 22:3292-3299. [PMID: 34643305 PMCID: PMC9291573 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The exploration of large DNA libraries of metagenomic or synthetic origin is greatly facilitated by ultrahigh‐throughput assays that use monodisperse water‐in‐oil emulsion droplets as sequestered reaction compartments. Millions of samples can be generated and analysed in microfluidic devices at kHz speeds, requiring only micrograms of reagents. The scope of this powerful platform for the discovery of new sequence space is, however, hampered by the limited availability of assay substrates, restricting the functions and reaction types that can be investigated. Here, we broaden the scope of detectable biochemical transformations in droplet microfluidics by introducing the first fluorogenic assay for alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) in this format. We have synthesized substrates that release a pyranine fluorophore (8‐hydroxy‐1,3,6‐pyrenetrisulfonic acid, HPTS) when enzymatic turnover occurs. Pyranine is well retained in droplets for >6 weeks (i. e. 14‐times longer than fluorescein), avoiding product leakage and ensuring excellent assay sensitivity. Product concentrations as low as 100 nM were successfully detected, corresponding to less than one turnover per enzyme molecule on average. The potential of our substrate design was demonstrated by efficient recovery of a bona fide ADH with an >800‐fold enrichment. The repertoire of droplet screening is enlarged by this sensitive and direct fluorogenic assay to identify dehydrogenases for biocatalytic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Klaus
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, CB2 1GA, Cambridge, UK.,Current address: ICB Nuvisan GmbH, Müllerstraße 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Jannis Zurek
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, CB2 1GA, Cambridge, UK.,Johnson Matthey Plc, 260 Cambridge Science Park, CB4 0WE, Cambridge, UK.,Current address: BioNTech Cell & Gene Therapies GmbH, An der Goldgrube 12, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tomasz S Kaminski
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, CB2 1GA, Cambridge, UK.,Current address: Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ahir Pushpanath
- Johnson Matthey Plc, 260 Cambridge Science Park, CB4 0WE, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katharina Neufeld
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, CB2 1GA, Cambridge, UK.,Johnson Matthey Plc, 260 Cambridge Science Park, CB4 0WE, Cambridge, UK.,Current address: Janssen Pharmaceutica, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Florian Hollfelder
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, CB2 1GA, Cambridge, UK
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14
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Alex Wong CF, van Vliet L, Bhujbal SV, Guo C, Sletmoen M, Stokke BT, Hollfelder F, Lale R. A Titratable Cell Lysis-on-Demand System for Droplet-Compartmentalized Ultrahigh-Throughput Screening in Functional Metagenomics and Directed Evolution. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:1882-1894. [PMID: 34260196 PMCID: PMC8383311 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
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Water-in-oil emulsion
droplets are an attractive format for ultrahigh-throughput
screening in functional metagenomics and directed evolution applications
that allow libraries with more than 107 members to be characterized
in a day. Single library members are compartmentalized in droplets
that are generated in microfluidic devices and tested for the presence
of target biocatalysts. The target proteins can be produced intracellularly,
for example, in bacterial hosts in-droplet cell lysis is therefore
necessary to allow the enzymes to encounter the substrate to initiate
an activity assay. Here, we present a titratable lysis-on-demand (LoD)
system enabling the control of the cell lysis rate in Escherichia
coli. We demonstrate that the rate of cell lysis can be controlled
by adjusting the externally added inducer concentration. This LoD
system is evaluated both at the population level (by optical density
measurements) and at the single-cell level (on single-cell arrays
and in alginate microbeads). Additionally, we validate the LoD system
by droplet screening of a phosphotriesterase expressed from E. coli, with cell lysis triggered by inducer concentrations
in the μM range. The LoD system yields sufficient release of
the intracellularly produced enzymes to bring about a detectable quantity
of product (measured by fluorescence in flow cytometry of double emulsions),
while leaving viable cells for the downstream recovery of the genetic
material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Che Fai Alex Wong
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, N-7491, Norway
| | - Liisa van Vliet
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Swapnil Vilas Bhujbal
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, N-7491, Norway
| | - Chengzhi Guo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Marit Sletmoen
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, N-7491, Norway
| | - Bjørn Torger Stokke
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, N-7491, Norway
| | - Florian Hollfelder
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Rahmi Lale
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, N-7491, Norway
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15
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Yi D, Bayer T, Badenhorst CPS, Wu S, Doerr M, Höhne M, Bornscheuer UT. Recent trends in biocatalysis. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:8003-8049. [PMID: 34142684 PMCID: PMC8288269 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01575j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Biocatalysis has undergone revolutionary progress in the past century. Benefited by the integration of multidisciplinary technologies, natural enzymatic reactions are constantly being explored. Protein engineering gives birth to robust biocatalysts that are widely used in industrial production. These research achievements have gradually constructed a network containing natural enzymatic synthesis pathways and artificially designed enzymatic cascades. Nowadays, the development of artificial intelligence, automation, and ultra-high-throughput technology provides infinite possibilities for the discovery of novel enzymes, enzymatic mechanisms and enzymatic cascades, and gradually complements the lack of remaining key steps in the pathway design of enzymatic total synthesis. Therefore, the research of biocatalysis is gradually moving towards the era of novel technology integration, intelligent manufacturing and enzymatic total synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Yi
- Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University GreifswaldFelix-Hausdorff-Str. 4D-17487 GreifswaldGermany
| | - Thomas Bayer
- Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University GreifswaldFelix-Hausdorff-Str. 4D-17487 GreifswaldGermany
| | - Christoffel P. S. Badenhorst
- Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University GreifswaldFelix-Hausdorff-Str. 4D-17487 GreifswaldGermany
| | - Shuke Wu
- Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University GreifswaldFelix-Hausdorff-Str. 4D-17487 GreifswaldGermany
| | - Mark Doerr
- Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University GreifswaldFelix-Hausdorff-Str. 4D-17487 GreifswaldGermany
| | - Matthias Höhne
- Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University GreifswaldFelix-Hausdorff-Str. 4D-17487 GreifswaldGermany
| | - Uwe T. Bornscheuer
- Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University GreifswaldFelix-Hausdorff-Str. 4D-17487 GreifswaldGermany
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16
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Bouzetos E, Ganar KA, Mastrobattista E, Deshpande S, van der Oost J. (R)evolution-on-a-chip. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 40:60-76. [PMID: 34049723 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Billions of years of Darwinian evolution has led to the emergence of highly sophisticated and diverse life forms on Earth. Inspired by natural evolution, similar principles have been adopted in laboratory evolution for the fast optimization of genes and proteins for specific applications. In this review, we highlight state-of-the-art laboratory evolution strategies for protein engineering, with a special emphasis on in vitro strategies. We further describe how recent progress in microfluidic technology has allowed the generation and manipulation of artificial compartments for high-throughput laboratory evolution experiments. Expectations for the future are high: we foresee a revolution on-a-chip.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenios Bouzetos
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, 6708, WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ketan Ashok Ganar
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, 6708, WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Enrico Mastrobattista
- Pharmaceutics Division, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Siddharth Deshpande
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, 6708, WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - John van der Oost
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, 6708, WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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17
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Urban L, Holzer A, Baronas JJ, Hall MB, Braeuninger-Weimer P, Scherm MJ, Kunz DJ, Perera SN, Martin-Herranz DE, Tipper ET, Salter SJ, Stammnitz MR. Freshwater monitoring by nanopore sequencing. eLife 2021; 10:e61504. [PMID: 33461660 PMCID: PMC7815314 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
While traditional microbiological freshwater tests focus on the detection of specific bacterial indicator species, including pathogens, direct tracing of all aquatic DNA through metagenomics poses a profound alternative. Yet, in situ metagenomic water surveys face substantial challenges in cost and logistics. Here, we present a simple, fast, cost-effective and remotely accessible freshwater diagnostics workflow centred around the portable nanopore sequencing technology. Using defined compositions and spatiotemporal microbiota from surface water of an example river in Cambridge (UK), we provide optimised experimental and bioinformatics guidelines, including a benchmark with twelve taxonomic classification tools for nanopore sequences. We find that nanopore metagenomics can depict the hydrological core microbiome and fine temporal gradients in line with complementary physicochemical measurements. In a public health context, these data feature relevant sewage signals and pathogen maps at species level resolution. We anticipate that this framework will gather momentum for new environmental monitoring initiatives using portable devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Urban
- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome CampusHinxtonUnited Kingdom
| | - Andre Holzer
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - J Jotautas Baronas
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Michael B Hall
- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome CampusHinxtonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Michael J Scherm
- Department of Biochemistry, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Daniel J Kunz
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome CampusHinxtonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Physics, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Surangi N Perera
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Edward T Tipper
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Susannah J Salter
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
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