Dutch ingredients company DSM this week announced the completion of important research to determine the complete DNA sequence of a key production organism, the fungus Aspergillus niger.
The sequencing of A. niger is the first step in one of the largest industrial genome projects in Europe - integrating a number of techniques, including high throughput DNA sequencing, DNA-micro-analyses, proteomics, metabolomics and bio-informatics .
"Aspergillus niger is one of our most important production organisms", comments Feike Sijbesma, member of the DSM Managing Board of Directors.
Director DSM Research and Development Life Sciences Joop Roels said, "Since the DNA sequence of A. niger is almost 3 times larger than the bakers' yeast genome which is already known, the task for DSM and its partners was challenging. Ultimately, the sequencing of A. niger required the identification of over 13,000 genes encoded in approximately 34.5 million base pairs, and has been achieved in a remarkably short period."
DSM initiated the project in July 2000, when only 1-2 per cent of the A. nigers genes were known. The company commented this week that the knowledge of A niger's DNA sequence will allow a deeper understanding of its physiological behavior and will accelerate the development of additional analytical tools like proteomics.
"By understanding the mechanisms of gene expression in certain enzyme production processes, it is possible to fine-tune individual enzyme activities - offering the possibility of tailoring products to customer's specific needs," said Joop Roels.
"Our research and process development staff is confident of being able to replace current trial-and-error procedures with a rational, genomic-based approach.
The result will be improved efficiency of a wide range of fermentation-based production processes - leading to lower costs, and accelerated development of new and improved products. We forecast significant benefits for our customers in the bakery, fruit juice, beer, wine, dairy, nutraceutical and animal feed industries,"
Roels added.
DSM is offering to make the results available to commercial partners within its existing licensing arrangements and a low-barrier access program will be made available to academic organisations from 1 January 2002.