Microorganisms produce thousands of complex bioactive molecules, which they use to cope with their environment and fend off competitors. Half of all antibiotics and a significant portion of anticancer agents are microbial natural products. However, many compounds currently in use in chemotherapy have serious side effects and are expensive to manufacture. The objective of this proposal is to engineer three Streptomyces strains for production of improved anticancer agents in a controlled manner. We aim to (i) produce an efficacious molecule that has not been available in Europe due to production shortages, and (ii) improve production technologies for a widely used cancer drug to allow affordable care for cancer patients world-wide. In addition, we attempt to (iii) generate an entirely novel anticancer agent that has been shown to have fewer side effects. This would allow more intense treatment regimens that could significantly improve the survival rate of cancer patients.

2023

2027