Bacterial Genetics Engineering Department
Technical Supervisor
The Bacterial Genetics Engineering Department, certified in 2025 by the GIS IBiSA, operates from two sites in Toulouse (LMGM-CBI and IPBS). It is a genome engineering resource center with two missions:
1/ In order to specifically respond to the problems of research teams, the SIG.b platform designs and implements bacterial molecular genetics approaches (conventional genetic engineering tools and tools derived from CRISPR systems) adapted to various bacterial strains, whether they are model strains or not, pathogenic or clinical strains.
We work in collaborative projects with teams from public or private laboratories, French or foreign.
Depending on the strain studied, we carry out an in-depth bibliographic analysis, making it possible to propose different genome editing or screening strategies.
If it is a strain that is still poorly characterized, we develop the culture conditions, growth monitoring and enumeration, develop the appropriate tools and define the protocols necessary for the introduction of these tools into the bacteria.
We offer the possibility of training members of the collaborative team, remotely or hosted on site for a few weeks/months.
2/ In partnership with CNRS Formation Entreprises, SIG.b offers training in cutting-edge technologies (in French):
✓ CRISPRi: an innovative application of CRISPR to modulate gene expression in bacteria
✓ Genome engineering combined with CRISPR to generate scar-free mutations in bacteria
We may also offer customized in situ training (theoretical and/or practical).
Team
Scientific Manager
Catherine Turlan (Engineer CNRS, LMGM-CBI)
Technical Supervisors
Site LMGM-CBI
Nathalie Eynard (Research Scientist, University)
Anne-Marie Cirinesi (Technician CNRS)
Site IPBS
Wladimir Malaga (Engineer CNRS)
CORE FACILITY EQUIPMENT
✓ Know-how:
Modification of the bacterial genome and/or modulation of gene expression.
- Genome editing: point mutation, deletion, insertion (tag), by allelic exchange and/or CRISPR
- Genetic screening: isolation of mutants by selection or phenotypic identification (suppressor, synthetic lethality, etc.)
- Gene regulation: CRISPR interference, transcriptional activation, overexpression
- Bioinformatics: Identification of mutations, genome assembly post NGS sequencing
✓ Biosafety laboratories:
levels 1 – 2 – 3
✓ E. coli strain collections:
Gene inactivation (KEIO); Over expression (ASKA); Tagged genes (SPA tag)
✓ Bacteria:
Escherichia coli; Salmonella Typhimurium; Mycoplasma; Mycobacteria; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Group B Streptococcus; Lactobacillus; etc.
✓ Tools:
- Plasmids and phages for recombineering with single or double-strand DNA
- CRISPR derived tools for single- or double-strand DNA cleavage (counter selection of original clones), specific addressing of accessory functions, base editing, etc.
- CRISPRi gRNA library
- Plasmid libraries for gene overexpression; Tn seq (Mariner)