Microorganism genomics, compositions and methods related thereto

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and compositions for accessing, in a generally unbaised manner, a diverse genetic pool for genes involved in biosynthetic pathways. The invention also provides compounds which can be identified by cloning biosynthetic pathways.

1 .- 33 . (canceled)  
   
   
       34 . A cell engineered with a replicable vector including heterologous genomic DNA isolated from a source of uncultivated microorganisms, which host cell produces a compound in a manner dependent on expression of at least one opening reading frame of the genomic DNA.  
   
   
       35 . A library of cells comprising a replicable vector including heterologous genomic DNA isolated from a source of uncultivated microorganisms, wherein the library includes a variegated population of genomic DNA sequences, and at least a portion of the cells produce a compound in a manner dependent on expression of at least one opening reading frame of the genomic DNA.  
   
   
       36 . An isolated nucleic acid comprising one or more genes from a source of uncultivated microorganisms, wherein expression of the genes in a heterologous host cell provides a functional biosynthetic pathway for production of a compound in a manner dependent on expression of the genes.  
   
   
       37 .- 45 . (canceled)