Microbes are something of a double-edged sword for humankind. They can cause debilitating or fatal infections, they can corrode metals, and they can foul pipes in homes and factories. But they are also the source of antibiotic drugs, and their metabolic capabilities offer enormous potential to address urgent needs for sustainable energy and chemical synthesis. For example, microbes can generate electricity from sewage, biofuels from farm waste, and high-tech fabrics from grains.

Microbial engineering remains a challenge. Even for the best studied organisms, such as E. coli and yeast, the outcome of genetic modifications can be unpredictable. Engineering new biosynthetic capabilities often takes years or decades of development.

To make microbial engineering faster and more predictable, we need to understand how thousands of genes in a cell work together to control microbial metabolism, to activate pathogenesis, and to defend against antibiotic stress. This understanding will unlock the full potential of microbes for biomanufacturing, and will accelerate the development of antibiotics that overcome bacterial resistance.