Engineered Microorganism for Co-Producing 1,3-PDO and 3-HP

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional microorganisms have limitations in simultaneously biosynthesizing 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) and 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) from glucose or glycerol, with existing strains having low titers or requiring mixed cultures, hindering their application in practical processes.

Innovation Solution

A microorganism engineered with genes encoding glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD), glycerol-3-phosphate phosphatase (GPP), dhaB, gdrAB, aldH, and yqhD is developed to simultaneously produce 1,3-PDO and 3-HP from glucose or glycerol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional microorganisms are used for biosynthesis, then the process is simple, but the titer is low and mixed culture is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiter of 1,3-PDO and 3-HPVSAvoidmicroorganism engineering complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple gene functions into a single engineered microorganism strain. Specifically, it integrates genes for 1,3-PDO production (dhaB, gdrAB, aldH, yqhD) and 3-HP production (GPD, GPP) into one organism, eliminating the need for mixed culture systems while achieving high titers of both products simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The engineered microorganism is designed to perform multiple functions: it can simultaneously produce 1,3-PDO and 3-HP from the same substrate (glucose or glycerol), and can switch between different production modes depending on the carbon source available, making it a universal platform for producing multiple high-value chemicals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If mixed culture of two microorganisms is used, then 1,3-PDO and 3-HP can be produced, but the operation becomes complex and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous production rate of 1,3-PDO and 3-HPVSAvoidoperational complexity of mixed culture

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of two separate microorganisms into one engineered strain. Instead of maintaining and mixing two different cultures (each producing one product), a single strain is engineered with the complete pathway for both 1,3-PDO and 3-HP production, simplifying operation while increasing productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the metabolic pathways into modular gene clusters that can be independently optimized. The 1,3-PDO pathway (dhaB, gdrAB, aldH, yqhD) and 3-HP pathway (GPD, GPP) are treated as separate functional modules within the same organism, allowing independent optimization of each pathway while maintaining overall system simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 engineered microorganism achieves enhanced production of 1,3-PDO and 3-HP, with productivity levels up to 2.1 g/L/hr, facilitating their application in industrial processes.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzymatic catalysis: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentUS20260043033A1Microorganism simultaneously producing 1,3-propanediol and 3-hydroxypropionic acid, and use thereof

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 LG CHEM LTD

AI summary

The present specification relates to a microorganism into which a GPD gene, a GPP gene, and dhaB, gdrAB, aldH and/or yqhD genes are introduced, and/or use thereof, the microorganism being capable of simultaneously producing 1,3-PDO and 3-HP.