GM Bacterium Produces Precursor of an Alzheimer's Drug

American researchers used genetically modified bacterium (Escherichia coli) to produce a precursor of a medicine for Alzheimer's disease. Biosensors and artificial intelligence were utilized in the fermentation process.

Galantamine is a medicine used by Alzheimer's patients to treat their symptoms. However, the active compounds necessary to produce the drug are difficult to synthesize since they are extracted and purified from the daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus. Since this process has a low yield, scientists must discover a more commercially viable alternative method.

Researchers at the University of Texas decided to harness GM microbe to produce a chemical precursor of galantamine. The bacterium converts the food into medicinal compounds. One of the researchers created an AI system called MutComputeX, which analyzes how to enhance the efficiency and operating temperature in chemical production. The team also developed a fluorescent biosensor that rapidly detects and identifies which bacteria were creating the needed chemicals and their amount. "This method creates a reliable supply that is much less expensive to produce. It doesn't have a growing season, and it can't be impacted by drought or floods,” said Andrew Ellington, one of the authors of the study.

Read the article in Nature Communications for more information.