Evolution-inspired engineering of nonribosomal peptide synthetases. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38513038/)

These scientists studied how bacteria make special molecules that can be turned into medicines. They looked at the parts of the bacteria that put together these molecules, like a tiny assembly line. The scientists found new places in these parts that can be changed to make new and better molecules.

They then came up with a clever idea called "eXchange Unit between T domains" (XUT). This idea lets them mix and match different parts of the bacteria to create new molecules. They tested this by making a special molecule that can stop bad proteins in our bodies, using parts from five different bacteria.

Overall, the scientists found a way to make new medicines by mixing and matching parts of bacteria like building blocks.

Bozhuyuk KAJ., Prave L., Kegler C., Schenk L., Kaiser S., Schelhas C., Shi YN., Kuttenlochner W., Schreiber M., Kandler J., Alanjary M., Mohiuddin TM., Groll M., Hochberg GKA., Bode HB. Evolution-inspired engineering of nonribosomal peptide synthetases. Science. 2024 Mar 22;383(6689):eadg4320. doi: 10.1126/science.adg4320. Epub 2024 Mar 22.