P111: An Integrative System for Genomic Design in Fermentation-based Industrial Applications of Fungi

Development of fermentation-based methodologies is being assisted by high-throughput technologies, which are generating vast amounts of data, for example from production strain resequencing projects. However, the sheer volume of data generated by these technologies can pose problems for scientists struggling to reach meaningful conclusions. A key to  meeting this challenge is the establishment of a generic and integrative approach to data handling, visualization, and analysis. In close collaboration with customers, we have developed a flexible, scalable, and integrative solution to support and streamline research processes. The Genedata Selector™ seamlessly integrates public and proprietary data in one database, and includes interactive tools to analyze, store, and share data and results across an organization.  This supports projects using a system biology and genomic design approach to understand and improve productivity by rational means. The infrastructure enriches and streamlines interdisciplinary communication, decision support and experimental planning between wet lab biologists,  computer scientists, modelers, and project leaders. We illustrate here how standard genomics technologies together with next-generation sequencing data from fungi help elucidate metabolic capacities, expression behavior, and strain stability on a genome-wide level. The system supports a cross-omics, cross-technology, knowledge-based metabolic engineering approach to improve fungal strains for the production of antibiotics, biofuels, and feed and food ingredients.