Old bugs for new tasks; the microbial offer in the proteomics era

Microbial transformations have been unnoticeably exploited by mankind for centuries especially in the context of early food industries. The modern biotechnology uses microbial cells in a more directed approach to produce enzymes, antibiotics, amino acids and other metabolites of economical interest. Food and mining industries are also sustained by natural microbial activities tailored in a way that favours the desired transformations. The birth of genetic engineering in the late 70's and its further technical expansion have provided molecular tools to engineer and produce hetereologous proteins in a diversity of microorganisms including bacteria, yeast and filamentous fungi, thus largely extending their manufacturing capabilities.