9700981 Chen The PI proposes to uncouple heterologous protein production from biomass production by improving the protein producing machinery, i.e., the complex ribosomal messenger RNA processing. Three ribosomal regulatory factors, Fis, ppGpp, and RMF, will be varied to find the improved processing conditions under no-growth of slow growth E. coli conditions. The PI already has indications that these factors have a significant effect on E. coli protein processing under slow-growth, bioreactor conditions. The educational plan has three components. The first is to coordinate development of a new Environmental Biotechnology program between the Chemical and Environmental Engineering Departments. Bioremediation will be the focus of the program. The second involves facilitating undergraduate research, including minority participation, an activity that Dr. Chen is already engaged in. Finally, he will be involved in the development of 2 new courses in cell engineering and environmental biotechnology. ***
