Deinococcus Bacteria for Lignocellulosic Biomass Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies for converting lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels and valuable products are limited by the lack of bacteria with large genomes and high genomic diversity, which are essential for efficient biomass degradation and metabolite production.

Innovation Solution

Identification and utilization of Deinococcus bacteria with genome sizes above 3.9 megabases and high genomic diversity, specifically selected for their ability to resist UV treatment and produce valuable metabolites, enzymes, and drugs, using methods such as PCR amplification and irradiation treatment for isolation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional Deinococcus bacteria with average genome size of 3.0Mb are used, then the bacterial culture is easier to maintain and handle, but the biomass degradation efficiency and metabolite production capacity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiomass degradation efficiency and metabolite productionVSAvoidgenome size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and utilizing Deinococcus bacteria strains with genome sizes above 3.9Mb (significantly larger than the conventional 3.0Mb average), thereby changing the genome size parameter to achieve enhanced biomass degradation efficiency and metabolite production capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If Deinococcus bacteria with large genomes and high genomic diversity are used, then the biomass degradation and metabolite production are enhanced, but the isolation and identification processes become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiomass degradation and metabolite productionVSAvoidisolation and identification process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-selecting Deinococcus bacteria strains that already possess large genomes (>3.9Mb) and high genomic diversity before initiating biomass degradation processes, thereby simplifying subsequent isolation and identification steps while maintaining enhanced productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If Deinococcus bacteria with genome size above 3.9Mb are selected, then the ability to resist UV treatment and produce valuable metabolites is improved, but the selection and culturing process becomes more selective and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUV resistance and metabolite production capabilityVSAvoidselection and culturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-identifying and selecting Deinococcus bacteria strains with genome sizes above 3.9Mb that inherently possess UV resistance and metabolite production capabilities, thereby reducing the time required for subsequent selection and culturing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 bacteria exhibit enhanced properties for biomass degradation and metabolite production, enabling the efficient conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars and bioenergy products, as well as the production of drugs and enzymes, offering improved industrial applications.

Implementation Method 1

degradation and fermentation of biomass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

degradation and fermentation of biomass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Implementation Method 3

resisting a UV treatment of 4 mJ/cm2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiation resistance: Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP2542664B1Bacteria and the uses thereof
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 DEINOVE SA
  • EP2542664B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to novel bacteria and the uses thereof. The invention particularly relates to Deinococcus bacteria and their use in the pharmaceutical or agro-chemical industries, e.g., for degrading biomass and/or producing metabolites or drugs of industrial interest.