Genetic tools from lactococcal phage TP901-1 for use in the cell factory

The objective of the project "Genetic tools from lactococcal phage TP901-1 for use in the cell factory" is to develop new phage resistance mechanisms and other genetic tools, using the molecular knowledge of the developmental program of TP901-1, belonging to the P335 group of lactococcal phages.
Molecular analysis of the early and middle phase of the lytic growth phage will identify the promoter(s) used for the gene expression following the production of the early lytic transcript, as well as elements needed for the activity of the middle promoter(s). Mutational analysis - using insertions, deletions and nonsense mutations - will classify essential and non-essential phage genes expressed during the early and middle phase of the lytic growth and possibly identify their functions. The identified phage components (promoters and genes) will be used for the construction of systems giving abortive infection and as general genetic tools.