Engineering cyanobacteria to generate high-value products

Journal Article · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 2011 · Trends in Biotechnology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2010.12.003· OSTI ID:1211103

Ducat, DC; Way, JC; Silver, PA

Although many microorganisms have been used for the bioindustrial generation of valuable metabolites, the productive potential of cyanobacterial species has remained largely unexplored. Cyanobacteria possess several advantages as organisms for bioindustrial processes, including simple input requirements, tolerance of marginal agricultural environments, rapid genetics, and carbon-neutral applications that could be leveraged to address global climate change concerns. Here, we review recent research involving the engineering of cyanobacterial species for the production of valuable bioindustrial compounds, including natural cyanobacterial products (e.g. sugars and isoprene), biofuels (e.g. alcohols, alkanes and hydrogen), and other commodity chemicals. Biological and economic obstacles to scaled cyanobacterial production are highlighted, and methods for increasing cyanobacterial production efficiencies are discussed.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)
• OSTI ID: 1211103
• Journal Information: Trends in Biotechnology, Journal Name: Trends in Biotechnology Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 29; ISSN 0167-7799
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English