Engineered Acetogens for Hydrocarbon Synthesis via Metabolic Pathway Alteration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing hydrocarbons, such as isoprene, are inefficient and rely heavily on petrochemical feedstocks or natural rubber, with high ATP consumption in biocatalytic pathways limiting yield and sustainability.
Innovation Solution
Genetically engineered non-naturally occurring acetogens that alter specific polynucleotides to utilize alternative metabolic pathways like the beta-ketothiolase, 2-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydratase, or polyketide synthase routes for hydrocarbon production from gaseous substrates, reducing ATP consumption and increasing yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the mevalonate pathway is used for isoprene production, then isoprene can be synthesized, but ATP consumption is high (two moles of ATP per mole of isoprene) and yield is limited (maximum 25.2% w/w)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the biochemical pathway parameters by replacing the mevalonate pathway with alternative routes (mevalonate-independent pathway, 2-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydratase pathway, polyketide synthase pathway) that have different energy requirements and intermediate metabolites, thereby reducing ATP consumption while maintaining isoprene production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the energy-intensive phosphate activation step (mevalonate to 5-diphosphomevalonate requiring two moles of ATP) from the synthesis pathway by using alternative pathways that do not require this high-energy transformation, thus eliminating the main source of ATP consumption
2Productivity
If petrochemical feedstocks are used for hydrocarbon production, then production volume is high, but sustainability is poor and environmental impact is negative
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes petrochemical-based chemical synthesis with biologically-based enzymatic pathways in engineered microorganisms, replacing fossil fuel-dependent processes with sustainable biological systems that can produce isoprene and other hydrocarbons from renewable feedstocks like glucose or gaseous substrates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates microorganisms with universal hydrocarbon synthesis capability that can produce various hydrocarbons (isoprene, terpenes, etc.) through engineered pathways, allowing a single biological system to replace multiple petrochemical processes while improving sustainability
3Productivity
If natural rubber from Brazilian rubber trees is used, then rubber production is achieved, but dependency on imported materials and land use is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables microorganisms to produce hydrocarbons autonomously through engineered metabolic pathways, making the production system self-sufficient and independent of imported natural rubber or specific agricultural sources, thereby achieving feedstock independence and versatility
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These engineered acetogens achieve higher maximum predicted yields and improved growth-coupled yields compared to traditional mevalonate pathways, providing a sustainable and efficient method for hydrocarbon production.
Implementation Method 1
Genetically engineered non-naturally occurring acetogens that alter specific polynucleotides to utilize alternative metabolic pathways like the beta-ketothiolase, 2-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydratase, or polyketide synthase routes for hydrocarbon production from gaseous substrates
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for biosynthesising hydrocarbons from a gaseous substrate in non-naturally occurring acetogens as well as non-naturally occurring acetogens for production of hydrocarbons are provided.