The main objective of the laboratory is to obtain an extremely detailed understanding of model microorganisms that would allow, in combination with the development of new genome engineering methods, subsequent programming of cells to perform various tasks. The potential benefits of this approach are many, from the advancement of fundamental knowledge to possible applications in medicine, environmental remediation and clean energy production, among others. Many experts believe that synthetic biology can answer various critical challenges humanity is currently facing and profoundly transform the twenty-first century.
In the Rodrigue lab, we are mainly focusing our research on two model organisms: Mesoplasma florum, a near-minimal bacterium of the Mollicutes class, and the laboratory workhorse Escherichia coli. We are also interested in understanding the biology of mobile genetic elements such as conjugative plasmids since they constitute extremely powerful substrates for synthetic biology applications. Here are examples of ongoing research projects in the laboratory:
- Integrative genome-scale characterization of M. florum
- Development of genetic engineering tools for M. florum
- Recoding and refactoring of the M. florum genome
- Whole-cell modelling approaches for system and synthetic biology
- Development of open-source automated plaform for laboratory operations
- Study of conjugative plasmids and their roles in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance
- Engineering of conjugative plasmids for therapeutic applications
- High-throughput study of synthetic lethality in E. coli
