Title:
From Microbes to Molecules: Engineering Modular Polyketide Synthases for Diverse Applications
Abstract:
Polyketide synthases (PKSs) are nature’s molecular assembly lines, synthesizing a vast array of chemically complex and bioactive natural products, including antibiotics, anticancer agents, and immunosuppressants. These modular enzymes are uniquely suited for engineering new-to-nature molecules due to their co-linear genetic organization and programmable modularity. In this talk, I will highlight recent progress in the rational reprogramming of PKS domains and modules to expand the diversity of accessible products. Additionally, I will discuss efforts to evolve microbial hosts to enhance metabolic flux and optimize the biosynthesis of target compounds.
Our approach integrates computational modeling, structural biology, and adaptive laboratory evolution to redesign PKS enzymes and implement them in metabolically optimized microbes for efficient and scalable production. By combining enzymatic engineering with microbial biotechnology, we aim to transform microbes into powerful chemical factories capable of bridging the gap between nature’s capabilities and the synthetic demands of modern industry. The modularity and versatility of PKSs offer the potential to produce millions of new-to-nature products, opening exciting possibilities for applications in medicine, materials, and beyond.
Bio:
Dr. Sarah Klass is a postdoctoral fellow in Prof. Jay Keasling’s lab, with joint affiliations at the University of California, Berkeley, the Joint BioEnergy Institute, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Her research focuses on engineering polyketide synthase enzymes and metabolic pathways in diverse microbial hosts to produce natural and new-to-nature compounds for applications in medicine, sustainable materials, and biomanufacturing. By integrating synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and enzyme design, Dr. Klass aims to expand the potential of microbial biosynthesis.
Prior to her postdoc, Dr. Klass earned her Ph.D. in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, under the mentorship of Prof. Matthew Francis, where she studied the self-assembly properties of chemical and protein-based materials for biomaterial and medical applications. In addition to her research, Dr. Klass is a lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley’s Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology, where she develops innovative curricula blending science, technology, and entrepreneurship. She is also the principal investigator of an NSF-funded initiative to design a hands-on peer review training program for STEM graduate students in partnership with the open-access overlay journal Rapid Reviews: Infectious Diseases. Through her multidisciplinary research and educational initiatives, Dr. Klass aims to drive innovation and collaboration across scientific fields to address pressing global challenges.
10:30am, Shaffer 3