Salinispora pacifica DSM 45544 Genome sequencing and assembly

We believe this sequencing project will lead to the discovery of new biosynthetic enzymes that can be used to perform unique biochemical reactions that have broad applicability to the chemical industry. The sequence data will be added to growing databases of biosynthetic genes, which can in turn be used as predictive tools that are improving the efficiency by which secondary metabolites are discovered. This research has the potential to yield new biochemical tools that can be used to perform reactions that were previously achievable only through economically ineffective or environmentally unfavorable chemical processes. This concept is exemplified by the rational design and engineering of an E. coli based system capable of producing the sesquiterpenoid secondary metabolite artemisinic acid, which is a precursor in the biosynthesis of artemisinin, an effective but widely unavailable plant derived anti-malarial agent.