The Development of Genetic Systems to Facilitate the Exploitation of Clostridium Genome Information (University College London)

Despite their industrial and medical importance, our basic understanding of Clostridium molecular biology and physiology is limited. Genome data for C. acetobutylicum and C. difficile offers new opportunities. However, the genetic systems necessary to manipulate these species are currently inadequate.<P>
We propose to develop a Molecular Tool Box to allow the full exploitation of clostridial genome sequences. It is our intention to focus on C. difficile, as the needs are most pressing in this species. However, many of the tools will also be applicable to C. acetobutylicum. Their availability will facilitate programmes of work aimed at deriving a greater understanding of Clostridium sp. molecular biology and physiology. (Joint with grant 346/E13746.)