Genome Editing in Bacillus Licheniformis: Current Approaches and Applications

Bacillus licheniformis has been regarded as an exceptional microbial cell factory for the production of biochemicals and enzymes. The complete genome sequencing and annotation of the genomes of industrially-relevant Bacillus species has uplifted our understanding of their properties and helped in the progress of genetic manipulations in other Bacillus species. The genome sequence analysis has given information on the different genes and their functional importance. Post-genomic studies require simple and highly efficient tools to enable genetic manipulation. With the developments of complete genome sequences and simple genetic manipulation tools, the metabolic pathways of B. licheniformis could be rewired for the efficient production of interest chemicals. However, gene editing (such as gene knockout) is laborious and time consuming using conventional methods. Recently, useful tools for the genetic engineering of Bacillus species have emerged from the fields of systems and synthetic biology. The recent progress in genetic engineering strategies as well as the available genetic tools that have been developed in Bacillus licheniformis species, has conveniently enabled multiple modifications in the genomes of Bacillus species and thereby improved its use in the industrial sector.

Keywords: Bacillus licheniformis, Complete genome sequence, CRISPR-Cas9, Gene editing, Genome engineering tools.