Typically, strategies for modifying bacterial genomes take one of two approaches. Reverse genetics enables very accurate modifications, but is typically low throughput (e.g. GFP fusion). Forward genetics enables modifications to be made at high throughput across the genome, but these techniques are random and therefore imprecise (e.g. transposon mutagenesis). 

What if we could perform bacterial genetics with high throughput and high accuracy?

The Saunders Lab has developed new genetic techniques for precisely constructing mutant libraries at high throughput. Genomic modifications can be specified by short DNA oligos that encode homology to different positions in bacterial genomes. With modern DNA synthesis, tens of thousands of oligos can be computationally designed and ordered routinely. Therefore mutant libraries can be designed and constructed to ask new questions about bacteria at genomic scales.

Genes and proteins do not work alone, but instead these components interact to form complex and dynamic networks that determine cellular physiology. Accurate and high throughput tools will enable the construction of double mutant and combinatorial libraries that can be used to measure interactions between cellular components.