Metabolomic studies allow the investigation and optimization of the main metabolic fluxes in a cell. They also allow reconstruction of the cell metabolism from a sequenced genome as well as the design of totally novel pathways/cells “in silico” which can then be constructed experimentally using genetic engineering tools. In the last years we have been extremely successful in investigating recombinant and non-recombinant yeast, E.coli and Pichia pastoris cells as well as for the first time reconstructing the metabolic pathways of bacteria active in a range of novel applications.

Presently we are incorporating new pathways into E.coli and yeast, firstly “in silico” using metabolic flux analysis (MFA), metabolic flux balances (MFB) and metabolic control analysis (MCA) in order to design potential pathways with appropriate energy (ATP), reducing power and H+, C and O supply to utilize novel carbon sources. We are also very active in an international collaboration on isolation of microorganisms (Streptomyces and others) with unique properties from the Atacama Desert (e.g. novel antibiotics, anticancer drugs and antigungal agents). After genome sequencing our group has developed the metabolic reconstruction of these strains and has built a genome scale metabolic model (GSM) of Streptomyces leeuwenhoeki.

 
Similarly we have constructed several genome scale models for Salinispora which are the first GSMs for this marine microorganism. Salinispora tropica is a marine actinomycete that produces diverse secondary metabolites, including many that posess pharmaceutical properties such as Salinosporamide A, a potent anticancer agent, and sporolides, candidates for antiviral compounds.