Software for genome-based bioprospecting

Genomes of several rare actinomycete bacteria isolated from the Trondheim fjord in the course of the bioprospecting project have been sequenced. NTNU is now developing methods for activation and/or heterologous expression of these silent gene clusters for biosynthesis of potential drug leads. However, the types of molecules that can be produced from activation of these genes remains unknown, and the number of unknown (also called orphan) gene clusters is very difficult to identify by current bioinformatic s methods. A pilot project intended to establish a collaboration on development of a gene-mining software is being suggested. Within this pilot project, the first steps towards development of software for genome-based drug discovery will be undertaken.