Biosynthesis is a phenomenon where chemical compounds are produced from simpler reagents. Biosynthesis, unlike chemical synthesis, takes place within living organisms and is generally catalysed by enzymes. The synthesis generally consumes energy, usually in the form of ATP. The process is vital part of metabolism. Important and commonly known products of biosynthesis include proteins, vitamins, and antibiotics, but all components of living beings are a result of this process. In the near future it may be possible, with the help of biotechnology, to harness this process for the production of e.g. biodegradableplastics.
Furthermore, rat chow, rat small and large intestine and bacteria cultured from these tissues did not contain either morphine or reticuline, eliminating the possibility of contamination or an exogenous source of these compounds.
This finding adds information which suggests that morphine biosynthesis may occur in rat neural tissues, and that its biosynthesispathway may be similar to that reported in the poppy plant.
Production of new polyketides is probably the most advanced application of combinatorial biosynthesis; genetically altering their biosynthesispathways can potentially generate a nearly inexhaustible number of new polyketides for drug assays and further development.
In current practice, combinatorial biosynthesis is generally used to produce relatively small libraries of focused compounds rather than extremely large libraries of drug candidates.
Exploiting combinatorial biosynthesis to make new polyketides depends both on understanding the process of making polyketides and how the genes in their synthesis pathway are organized.
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