Module 1 Overview

The E.ncapsulator has been designed to produce and deliver polypeptides (amino acid polymers) to the intestine. Module 1 encompasses the polypeptide production phase. During this period, our polypeptide of interest is synthesised at a rate sufficient to faciliate its accumulation inside the cell.

To demonstrate The E.ncapsulator's versatility, we have chosen to showcase it with both enzymes and peptides. These two classes of polypeptide have very different properties that we have considered and catered for in The E.ncapsulator's design.

  About the difference between enzymes and peptides.

Cellulase

Cellulose is a tough plant polymer assembled from glucose subunits. We commonly refer to undigested cellulose as 'dietary fibre'. While fibre has many positive effects on health, it also traps a number of nutrients preventing their absorption into the body. Cellulases are a family of enzymes that catalyse a series of reactions that result in the depolymerisation of cellulose. By delivering the cellulase Clostridium thermocellum Endoglucanase E (CelE) to the intestine, we hope to disrupt the cellulose polymer enough to release the trapped nutrients facilitating their adsorption.

While many cellulases have been identified, we selected CelE for two reasons. Firstly, it is protease resistant and secondly it is able to carry out multiple reactions that result in cellulase breakdown.

  About CelE.

The delivery of a cellulase into the intestine offers a way in which we can enhance the nutritional value of food. This is an important consideration for a rapidly growing population with global food shortages.