CO2-Assimilating Microorganism Screening via Random Mutagenesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for CO2 fixation are inefficient and costly, and existing techniques for modifying bacterial cells to absorb CO2 and convert it into high-value-added products are difficult to implement, as they rarely result in cooperative modifications of multiple enzymes involved in reaction pathways.
Innovation Solution
A method involving random mutagenesis of bacterial cells under directed evolutionary pressure, followed by culturing in a highly concentrated target factor environment, to efficiently produce microorganisms capable of assimilating CO2 or other target factors, such as carbon sources or nitrogen sources, facilitating the selection of variants with desired functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If evolutionary molecular engineering technique is used to introduce random mutation into a specific gene, then the function of the enzyme can be improved in a desired direction, but the mutation rarely occurs and it is extremely difficult to cooperatively modify many reactions in vivo
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of mutation induction from targeted molecular engineering to chemical mutagenesis, which induces mutations uniformly across the entire genome. This parameter change enables simultaneous modification of multiple enzymes involved in reaction pathways, resolving the contradiction between precise enzyme function improvement and low mutation occurrence rate.
2Adaptability or versatility
If chemical or ultraviolet rays mutagenesis is applied to the entire genome of bacterial cells, then mutations can be introduced uniformly into the entire genome, but the probability that many reactions (enzymes) in vivo evolve cooperatively is extremely rare
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism by selecting bacterial cells that have acquired the desired cooperative mutations through screening. This feedback loop ensures that only cells with successful cooperative evolution of multiple enzymes are retained, transforming the low-probability event into a reliable production method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary mutagenesis of the entire genome before selection, creating a diverse population of mutants. This preliminary action ensures that all necessary mutations for cooperative evolution are present in the population before the selection process, increasing the reliability of obtaining cells with multiple improved reactions.
3Reliability
If conventional techniques are used to modify bacterial cells, then CO2 fixation can be achieved, but the process is costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-step molecular engineering procedures with a simpler chemical mutagenesis approach. This substitution dramatically reduces the time and cost required to produce CO2-fixing bacterial cells while maintaining reliable fixation capability.
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
This approach allows for the cost-effective and time-efficient production of microorganisms that can assimilate and convert CO2 into high-value-added molecules, addressing environmental issues like global warming and enabling the development of bacteria for producing valuable compounds.
Implementation Method 1
a method of inducing mutation by targeting the entire genome of bacterial cells using a chemical or ultraviolet rays
Implementation Method 2
a method of inducing mutation by targeting the entire genome of bacterial cells using a chemical or ultraviolet rays
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method of producing a microorganism having an ability of assimilating a first factor including: a step of subjecting a microorganism to random mutagenesis; and a step of culturing the microorganism in the presence of a highly concentrated first factor and then selecting the grown microorganism.