Patent ID: 10858648

Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods and systems for the directed evolution of macromolecules. The methods comprise contacting a population of host cells with a population of infective viruses. The host cells contain a controlling gene encoding a controlling gene product that is required for replication of the infective viruses but is not required for the replication of the host cells. The infective viruses comprise a gene of interest encoding a protein to be evolved to contain a desired activity that is required for expression of the controlling gene. The controlling gene in the host cells is embedded in a genetic circuit such that the controlling gene product is only expressed when the gene of interest has evolved to encode an evolved protein comprising the desired activity that is required for expression of the controlling gene. The systems comprise the host cells and infective viruses, a controlling gene genetic circuit to link controlling gene product production with the desired activity and optionally, a lagoon, a cellstat and/or a suitable growth medium.