Provided herein are genetically engineered cells containing one or more modulated metabolic genes, where the expression of the modulated metabolic gene(s) can be greater than that of an unmodified control. Also provided herein are methods of making the genetically engineered cells using synergistic activation mediator CRISPR-Cas9. Further provided herein are high throughput assays that can employ the genetically engineered cells provided herein.

Provided herein are genetically engineered cells containing one or more modulated metabolic genes, where the expression of the modulated metabolic gene(s) can be greater than that of an unmodified control. Also provided herein are methods of making the genetically engineered cells using synergistic activation mediator CRISPR-Cas9. Further provided herein are high throughput assays that can employ the genetically engineered cells provided herein.

Described herein are polypeptides encoding enzymes for the synthesis of monoterpene indole alkaloids. For example, the polypeptide comprises or consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1-68, or a variant thereof having at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1-68, or a fragment of the polypeptide, or the variant thereof.