Hyaluronext

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a vital biomolecule for maintaining skin hydration and elasticity and is widely utilized in healthcare, skincare, and cosmetic applications. Traditionally, HA is extracted from animal sources or bacterial biofilms. Both methods raise concerns in areas of contamination risk factors, ethics, as well as their ability to meet the increasing supply chain demands.
Previous research has examined the potential of microbial production using non-pathogenic bacteria. These methods could be a promising ethical and scalable alternative. However, current HA yields remain insufficient to meet global demand.
The U of L iGEM team aims to maximize production efficiency by using Multiplex Automated Genome Engineering (MAGE) and specialized E. coli. MAGE enables rapid, high-throughput modification of multiple genomic sites simultaneously, facilitating metabolic pathway optimization and synthetic biology applications such as HA biosynthesis. However, MAGE’s widespread adoption is hindered by the high cost, complexity, and limited versatility of existing hardware.
To address these challenges, our group is developing the Open-Source Automated Genome Engineering (O-SAGE) platform, leveraging affordable, commercially available components and open-source microcontrollers and microcomputers. We have completed CAD design of mechanical components and constructed the pumping subsystem circuit, with ongoing efforts focused on device assembly, optimization, and further modularization.
The goal is to engineer E. coli strains capable of efficient HA production using the O-SAGE platform, providing a safe, ethical, and scalable source of HA while also democratizing access to advanced genome engineering technologies.