Bacteria are one of the most important groups of organisms for the biotechnological production of proteins. The
production of these proteins often exerts a strong stress on the cells, so that cell metabolism and growth are
impaired, and the productivity is negatively affected.
The aim of this project was to develop a cellular control system that adapts the production rate of a desired protein
to the stress status of the cell by utilising genetic switches that react to a typical stress signal of bacterial cells.
Different strains were constructed and compared with conventional strains by measuring growth, product formation
and the stress status of the cells, as assessed by different stress signals. In order to achieve first data in the
suitability of the novel systems, the best strains were also cultivated in the laboratory scale under conditions similar
to an industrial production.
The project yielded novel basic scientific knowledge on interrelations in the metabolic regulation of bacterial cells
under stress conditions, as well as applied scientific approaches for the optimisation of biotechnological production
systems.