BIOTECHNOLOGY OF LACTIC-ACID BACTERIA - AN EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE

Research on Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) has seen the development of an intense and highly successful cooperation in the European Community (EC), within the framework of previous Community Research and Development Programmes: BEP (1982-1985) and BAP (1986-1989). In BRIDGE (1990-1993) the current programme, R&D activities in the field of LAB are to be implemented by means of a large transnational and targeted "T" project. The major objectives are: development of stable controlled gene expression for a range of LAB and production of strains meeting specific requirements of the food and feed industries. The T-project consists of a multinational association of 34 laboratories in different sub-groups: one, the "CORE", is focused upon the development of stable controlled gene expression and secretion systems for a range of LAB. The activities of the other sub-groups, "LEAVES", correspond to specific sectoral focus: proteolysis, phage resistance, molecular aspects of food preservation including antimicrobials, salt tolerance and mixed cultures, and metabolism and growth under extreme conditions.