MAGE

Multiplex automated genome engineering (MAGE) is a break through technology that has been introduced recently in August 2009. It is a major improvement to the current technology of genome engineering. MAGE is capable of modifying genomes on a large scale and product about 15 billion different genomic patterns in just 3 days. This scale of genome modification would usually take years to achieve. Unlike current technologies available, MAGE is highly efficient, inexpensive and automated, which means more companies can afford it and lesser man hours is required to generate the equivalent number of mutations.

MAGE have been tested for the production of Lycopene in the E.coli strain EcHW2. By targeting 2 sets of genes within the genome of the bacteria, they were able to carry out gene mutations on a large and random scale before isolating 6 colonies that contained variants with amplified production of lycopene as compared to the wild type strain E.coli. These colonies were chosen because they produced intense red pigmentation.

MAGE can generate different levels of diversity by tuning 3 factors. The degree of sequence variation at each locus, the number of loci target, and the number of MAGE cycles. Therefore the diversity of modification that can be generated is adjustable and is highly specific. This technology could eventually be used to produce industrial chemicals, drugs, fuel and anything else that comes out of bacteria

Wilson Leow
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