CSB - Centre for Synthetic Biology

Synthetic biology can be defined as the artificial (re)design of biological components and/or systems for practical applications. The technology is routed in the field of genetic engineering but draws inspiration from a variety of disciplines, such as biotechnology, chemistry, and even computer sciences. In that light, three research groups of Ghent University have decided to join forces and establish the multidisciplinary Centre for Synthetic Biology (CSB). Their common goal is to develop new processes for the production of value-added compounds, with emphasis on tailor-made carbohydrates, flavonoids and glycolipids. ENCA, the group of Prof. Desmet, specializes in the semi-rational design of new enzymes. They create improved biocatalysts to enable more efficient pathways or to gain access to alternative products. These enzymes can also be used in vitro to replace traditional chemical synthesis. MEMO, led by Prof. De Mey, is focused on the manipulation of cellular pathways. They develop novel tools for genetic engineering and apply these to microbial hosts. In that way, so-called designer bugs are created for the conversion of renewable resources into useful products. BioPort, headed by Prof. Van Bogaert, is specialized in facilitating transport across cellular membranes. Understanding and exploiting the mechanisms by which molecules are transported in and out of cells is essential for the intensification of new processes in the field of synthetic biology. CSB's infrastructure for the processing of (engineered) microbes and enzymes, and the identification of (new) products in a high-throughput fashion is made available to academic and industrial researchers via the "HTS for SynBio" Core Facility. Offered services: - Carbohydrate analysis with HPAEC-PAD - Biomolecule analysis with U/HPLC - Microbial fermentation - Enzyme production - Biocatalytic application - Carbohydrate or Biosurfactant production Interested?! Contact us via email: HTSforSynBio@UGent.be