Can we express a synthetic gene of interest in bacteria for study as an antiviral?

Thanks for your interest, Eddie, our group is working on expression of the anti viral lectin Griffithsin, found in a red seaweed. The experiment described here was a precursor to the project we are doing now. Now we are expressing in plants rather than bacteria. please see https://nenufarmolecules.blogspot.com/ for updates. We are working at counter culture labs in Oakland CA, and some other labs. You and your friends are welcome to join us.