Methacrylate Production via Genetically Modified Microorganisms

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing methacrylates, such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) and butyl methacrylate (BMA), are limited by the toxicity of these compounds to microorganisms, which inhibits cell growth and can lead to cell death, especially at higher concentrations, and rely on fossil fuel-derived feedstocks, making them unsustainable and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

Genetically modified microorganisms with increased tolerance to methacrylates are developed by introducing mutations in genes related to the oxidative stress response and multidrug resistance systems, allowing them to survive and produce methacrylates at concentrations toxic to wild-type bacteria, using recombinant DNA technology to enhance their resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wild-type microorganisms are used for methacrylate production, then the production process is simple, but the microorganisms cannot survive at high methacrylate concentrations due to toxicity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicroorganism survivalVSAvoidmicroorganism genetic modification

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the genetic parameters of microorganisms through mutagenesis and selection processes. Specifically, the microorganisms are exposed to methacrylate stress conditions that induce mutations in genes related to oxidative stress response and multidrug resistance systems, thereby changing their physiological parameters to tolerate high methacrylate concentrations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of methacrylate toxicity into a beneficial selection pressure. By exposing microorganisms to high methacrylate concentrations, the harmful toxic environment acts as a selective force that enriches for mutant strains with enhanced tolerance, thus transforming the harmful factor into a tool for strain improvement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of manufacture

If chemical synthesis methods are used for MMA production, then the process is well-established, but it relies on fossil fuel-derived feedstocks and uses hazardous chemicals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction processVSAvoidhazardous chemicals and fossil fuel dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing chemical synthesis methods with biological fermentation processes. Instead of using chemical catalysts and hazardous reagents for MMA production, the invention uses genetically modified microorganisms that metabolically produce methacrylates through fermentation, substituting chemical mechanisms with biological mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental production parameters from chemical to biological processes. By modifying microbial metabolic pathways through genetic engineering, the process transitions from fossil fuel-based chemical synthesis to renewable feedstock-based fermentation, altering the input material parameters and reaction conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If higher alkyl methacrylates are produced during fermentation, then product diversity is increased, but toxicity to biocatalysts increases and inhibits cell growth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct rangeVSAvoidcell growth

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the genetic parameters of microorganisms through mutagenesis and selection processes. Specifically, the microorganisms are exposed to methacrylate stress conditions that induce mutations in genes related to oxidative stress response and multidrug resistance systems, thereby changing their physiological parameters to tolerate high methacrylate concentrations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of methacrylate toxicity into a beneficial selection pressure. By exposing microorganisms to high methacrylate concentrations, the harmful toxic environment acts as a selective force that enriches for mutant strains with enhanced tolerance, thus transforming the harmful factor into a tool for strain improvement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The genetically modified microorganisms can maintain growth and production in the presence of high methacrylate concentrations, overcoming toxicity issues and enabling more efficient and sustainable production of these chemicals, while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Implementation Method 1

Microorganisms can be used to produce high value chemicals via fermentation, rather than by chemical synthesis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS11781160B2Methods for the production of methacrylates

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 MITSUBISHI CHEM UK LTD

AI summary

The invention relates to methods for the production of methacrylates using methacrylate tolerant microorganisms.