Engineered Oil-Producing Microbes for Low-Linoleic Lipids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing oils and fats by single cell microorganisms are costly and inefficient, and there is limited guidance on genetically engineering microorganisms to produce lipids with improved fatty acid profiles at commercially viable efficiencies, while separation of microorganisms from the produced oil is challenging due to similar densities.
Innovation Solution
Development of genetically modified oleaginous microorganisms with specific genetic modifications, such as deletions, under-expression, or overexpression of certain genes, to produce oils with reduced linoleic acid content and increased lipid production rates, along with methods for efficient separation of oil from the fermentation broth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If microorganisms are used to produce oils and fats by fermentation, then lipid production is achieved, but the cost of manufacturing cannot compete with plant and animal oils
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by genetically modifying microorganisms to alter their fatty acid composition parameters. Specifically, it modifies genes controlling linoleic acid synthesis to reduce polyunsaturated fatty acid content, thereby changing the oil's saturation parameter to improve stability and commercial viability while maintaining high lipid production rates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copies of genes with modified sequences to replace original genes in the microorganism's genome. By introducing modified gene copies that control fatty acid desaturation, the system replicates desired traits (reduced linoleic acid) across the microbial population, achieving consistent low-PUFA oil production at scale
2Manufacturing precision
If microorganisms are genetically engineered to produce lipids with improved fatty acid profile, then oil quality is enhanced, but there is limited guidance on selection of genetic modifications for commercially viable efficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes specific genes responsible for linoleic acid synthesis (such as FAD2, FAD3) from the microorganism's genome. By taking out these specific genetic elements that produce undesirable polyunsaturated fatty acids, the system achieves precise control over fatty acid composition without needing to redesign the entire genetic system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making targeted genetic modifications at specific locations in the fatty acid synthesis pathway. Instead of globally altering all metabolic processes, it selectively modifies only the genes controlling desaturation steps, thereby locally improving oil quality (reducing PUFA) while leaving other cellular functions unchanged
3Productivity
If microorganisms are cultured in fermentation broth, then lipid production occurs, but separation of microorganisms from oil is difficult due to similar densities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary substances or methods to facilitate separation. This may include using density-modifying agents, surfactants, or intermediate processing steps that create a clearer density difference between the microbial cells and the produced oil, enabling more efficient separation while preserving high lipid yields
Data Source
AI summary
Some aspects of this invention provide engineered microbes for oil production. Methods for microbe engineering and for use of engineered microbes are also provided herein. In some embodiments, microbes provided are engineered to produce oils with low linoleic acids. In some embodiments, microbes provided are engineered to increase the production of lipids by the microbes. In some embodiments, microbes provided are engineered to decrease the viscosity of a liquid culture comprising the microbes. Also disclosed herein are methods of processing, culturing, separating, and extracting products from engineered microbes for oil production.