Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Variants for Renewable Butanediol Biosynthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing commodity chemicals like 1,4-butanediol and 1,3-butanediol rely on petroleum-based sources, which are energy- and capital-intensive, and there is a need for renewable and less intensive production methods.
Innovation Solution
Engineering cells, such as microbial organisms, with aldehyde dehydrogenase variants to produce 3-hydroxybutyraldehyde, 1,3-butanediol, 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde, and 1,4-butanediol through metabolic pathways, utilizing engineered enzymes and genetic modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If petroleum-based sources are used to produce commodity chemicals, then production capacity is sufficient, but energy consumption and capital requirements are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of feedstock source from petroleum-based to renewable plant-based sources. This parameter change enables production with lower energy consumption and capital requirements while maintaining productivity through engineered metabolic pathways in microorganisms that efficiently convert renewable substrates into target chemicals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional chemical processing methods with biological systems. Engineered microorganisms perform the chemical transformations through metabolic pathways, substituting mechanical/chemical processing infrastructure with biological factories that operate under milder conditions with lower energy input
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional production methods are used, then established processes are available, but renewable sources are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the production process into distinct functional modules: substrate uptake systems, engineered metabolic pathways for intermediate conversion, and product synthesis pathways. This modular segmentation allows renewable sources to be integrated while maintaining process simplicity through standardized biological components that can be assembled and optimized independently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal engineered microorganisms that can process multiple renewable substrates through programmable metabolic pathways. The same host organism and pathway design framework can be applied to produce different target chemicals from various plant-based feedstocks, providing versatility without increasing manufacturing complexity
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
Facilitates the production of enantiomerically pure and high-purity 1,3-butanediol, providing renewable sources for petroleum-based products with improved efficiency and reduced energy and capital requirements.
Implementation Method 1
aldehyde dehydrogenase variants... produce 3-hydroxybutyraldehyde... 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides polypeptides and encoding nucleic acids of aldehyde dehydrogenase variants. The invention also provides cells expressing aldehyde dehydrogenase variants. The invention further provides methods for producing 3-hydroxybutyraldehyde (3-HBal) and/or 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BDO), or an ester or amide thereof, comprising culturing cells expressing an aldehyde dehydrogenase variant or using lysates of such cells. The invention additional provides methods for producing 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde (4-HBal) and/or 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO), or an ester or amide thereof, comprising culturing cells expressing an aldehyde dehydrogenase variant or using lysates of such cells.