Patent ID: 6171828
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: C12N

Abstract:
A method for culturing microorganisms, said microorganisms having a methanol metabolic pathway and into which microorganisms an expression unit has been introduced wherein said expression unit comprises a target gene operably linked downstream from a promoter that can be induced by methanol; said method comprising:culturing the microorganisms wherein methanol is added either periodically or continuously at the rate determined by following the step of:determining a rate of addition of methanol to a culture of said microorganisms that is less than or equal to the maximum methanol consumption rate of said microorganisms wherein said addition is periodic and said rate causes the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the culture medium to fluctuate synchronously with the period of methanol addition, and wherein the induction of said promoter and the growth of the microorganisms occur simultaneously, and said promoter is induced by the addition of methanol at the rate determined.