The aim of the Project is to express CODH (Carbon monoxide dehydrogenase) enzyme found in different types of bacteria in cyanobacteria. This enzyme converts CO to CO2 using the reactions below:

CO2 + 2H+ + 2e- <-> CO + H2O

Once the CO2 binds, there is a subtle change in the shape of the enzyme that prohibits the CO, when released from the active site, from escaping into the cytoplasm. Being cut off, there is only one escape: move through the molecular tunnel in the enzyme to the A cluster situated by the exit. One electron comes from the reduced B cluster, and one electron cones from the reduce C cluster itself. This is a reversible reaction; it's conceivable that the toxic effects of CO can be somewhat neutralized by the cell by turning it into CO2. However, since CO is not common in the environment it is doubtful that the bacterium uses the reversed reaction to save itself.