The use of molecular biology to reprogram Streptomyces to make polyketide antibiotics more efficiently, and create novel secondary metabolites.

Recent advances in the molecular genetics of Streptomyces have increased our understanding of polyketide antibiotic biosynthesis, to the point where recombinant DNA approaches to generate novel structures are possible. Our understanding of how antibiotic pathways are regulated and integrated into central metabolism also provides the opportunity for strain manipulation to enhance productivity.