On 18-19 April 2024, the Microbiology Institute of the CAS in Nové Hrady hosted the initial scientific conference of the Photomachines project. The leaders of the individual specialised tasks presented solutions to the individual challenges. The key goal of the project is to establish a Syn2Cell Bio-factory, which will be characterized by a robust photosynthetic apparatus and genetic stability. Metabolic pathways in the cells will be modified to increase the production of valuable compounds. Efforts to develop the Syn2Cell system will be complemented by screening for specific metabolites (peptides) with antiviral and antiproliferative effects found in different cyanobacterial species. Gene clusters responsible for the synthesis of these bioactive peptides will be heterologously expressed in Syn2Cell cells. The result will be a microbial cell "factory" for the production of therapeutic peptides. This is a novel approach in the field of biotechnology, using molecular genetics and synthetic biology methods. The project is at the interface between basic and applied research. The conference also saw the first meeting of the International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB), which is made up of representatives from both the research and application communities. The main task of the advisory body will be to evaluate the ongoing project on the basis of the information provided in the previous period.
