Genetically Modified Microbes for 1,4-Butanediol Biosynthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing 1,4-butanediol rely on petroleum-based feedstocks and energy-intensive processes, with succinic acid being costly and difficult to isolate, necessitating alternative means for efficient production.
Innovation Solution
Design and production of non-naturally occurring microbial organisms with optimized 1,4-butanediol pathways, including specific enzymes and genetic modifications, to biosynthesize 4-hydroxybutanoic acid and downstream products like 1,4-butanediol, utilizing in silico models and recombinant engineering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If petroleum-based feedstocks (acetylene, maleic anhydride, propylene oxide) are used for 1,4-butanediol production, then current industrial production can be maintained, but reliance on non-renewable resources and energy-intensive processes continues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of feedstock type from petroleum-based (acetylene, maleic anhydride, propylene oxide) to renewable biomass-based substrates. This parameter change enables sustainable production while maintaining productivity through engineered microbial pathways that convert biomass into 1,4-butanediol and its derivatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional chemical catalysis and high-temperature/pressure processing with biological catalysis using engineered microorganisms. The microbial systems naturally perform the chemical transformations at mild conditions, substituting mechanical and thermal energy inputs with biochemical pathways.
2Adaptability or versatility
If succinic acid is used as an intermediate for butanediol production, then renewable feedstock can be utilized, but isolation and purification costs increase and high temperatures and pressures are required for catalytic reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the problematic intermediate step involving succinic acid isolation, purification, and high-energy catalytic reduction. Instead, the engineered microbial pathways directly produce 1,4-butanediol or its precursors (4-hydroxybutanoic acid, γ-butyrolactone) from renewable feedstocks, bypassing the energy-intensive succinic acid processing step entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary genetic engineering of microorganisms to establish complete biosynthetic pathways before substrate introduction. The microbes are pre-programmed with all necessary enzymes and metabolic routes to efficiently convert renewable feedstocks into target products, avoiding the need for subsequent high-energy chemical processing steps.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional chemical synthesis methods are used, then established industrial processes can be maintained, but energy consumption and capital intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces energy-intensive chemical synthesis equipment and high-temperature/pressure reactors with simple fermentation vessels containing engineered microorganisms. The biological systems perform complex multi-step chemical transformations under ambient conditions, eliminating the need for expensive and energy-intensive industrial chemical processing equipment.
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
Achieves efficient and cost-effective production of 1,4-butanediol by using genetically modified microbes, reducing reliance on petroleum-based sources and energy consumption, while stabilizing genetic alterations for continuous bioprocesses.
Implementation Method 1
The engineered microbes contain a 1,4-butanediol (BDO) pathway comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a BDO pathway enzyme
Implementation Method 2
methods of using such microbial organisms to produce BDO
Data Source
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Figure 3(a)~3(c)
AI summary
The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms comprising a 1,4-utanediol (BDO) pathway comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a BDO pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce BDO and further optimized for expression of BDO. The invention additionally provides methods of using such microbial organisms to produce BDO.