1
|
Schwardmann LS, Benninghaus L, Lindner SN, Wendisch VF. Prospects of formamide as nitrogen source in biotechnological production processes. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:105. [PMID: 38204134 PMCID: PMC10781810 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12962-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
This review presents an analysis of formamide, focussing on its occurrence in nature, its functional roles, and its promising applications in the context of the bioeconomy. We discuss the utilization of formamide as an innovative nitrogen source achieved through metabolic engineering. These approaches underscore formamide's potential in supporting growth and production in biotechnological processes. Furthermore, our review illuminates formamide's role as a nitrogen source capable of safeguarding cultivation systems against contamination in non-sterile conditions. This attribute adds an extra layer of practicality to its application, rendering it an attractive candidate for sustainable and resilient industrial practices. Additionally, the article unveils the versatility of formamide as a potential carbon source that could be combined with formate or CO2 assimilation pathways. However, its attributes, i.e., enriched nitrogen content and comparatively limited energy content, led to conclude that formamide is more suitable as a co-substrate and that its use as a sole source of carbon for biomass and bio-production is limited. Through our exploration of formamide's properties and its applications, this review underscores the significance of formamide as valuable resource for a large spectrum of industrial applications. KEY POINTS: • Formidases enable access to formamide as source of nitrogen, carbon, and energy • The formamide/formamidase system supports non-sterile fermentation • The nitrogen source formamide supports production of nitrogenous compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lynn S Schwardmann
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
- , Aminoverse B.V., Daelderweg 9, 6361 HK, Nuth, Beekdaelen, The Netherlands
| | - Leonie Benninghaus
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Steffen N Lindner
- Department of Biochemistry, Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität, Berlin, Germany
| | - Volker F Wendisch
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Guo Y, Zhang R, Wang J, Qin R, Feng J, Chen K, Wang X. Engineering yeasts to Co-utilize methanol or formate coupled with CO 2 fixation. Metab Eng 2024; 84:1-12. [PMID: 38759777 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2024.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
The development of synthetic microorganisms that could use one-carbon compounds, such as carbon dioxide, methanol, or formate, has received considerable interest. In this study, we engineered Pichia pastoris and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to both synthetic methylotrophy and formatotrophy, enabling them to co-utilize methanol or formate with CO2 fixation through a synthetic C1-compound assimilation pathway (MFORG pathway). This pathway consisted of a methanol-formate oxidation module and the reductive glycine pathway. We first assembled the MFORG pathway in P. pastoris using endogenous enzymes, followed by blocking the native methanol assimilation pathway, modularly engineering genes of MFORG pathway, and compartmentalizing the methanol oxidation module. These modifications successfully enabled the methylotrophic yeast P. pastoris to utilize both methanol and formate. We then introduced the MFORG pathway from P. pastoris into the model yeast S. cerevisiae, establishing the synthetic methylotrophy and formatotrophy in this organism. The resulting strain could also successfully utilize both methanol and formate with consumption rates of 20 mg/L/h and 36.5 mg/L/h, respectively. The ability of the engineered P. pastoris and S. cerevisiae to co-assimilate CO2 with methanol or formate through the MFORG pathway was also confirmed by 13C-tracer analysis. Finally, production of 5-aminolevulinic acid and lactic acid by co-assimilating methanol and CO2 was demonstrated in the engineered P. pastoris and S. cerevisiae. This work indicates the potential of the MFORG pathway in developing different hosts to use various one-carbon compounds for chemical production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanke Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ruirui Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiao Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kequan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li K, Zhang X, Li C, Liang YC, Zhao XQ, Liu CG, Sinskey AJ, Bai FW. Systems metabolic engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum to assimilate formic acid for biomass accumulation and succinic acid production. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 402:130774. [PMID: 38701983 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Formate as an ideal mediator between the physicochemical and biological realms can be obtained from electrochemical reduction of CO2 and used to produce bio-chemicals. Yet, limitations arise when employing natural formate-utilizing microorganisms due to restricted product range and low biomass yield. This study presents a breakthrough: engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum strains (L2-L4) through modular engineering. L2 incorporates the formate-tetrahydrofolate cycle and reverse glycine cleavage pathway, L3 enhances NAD(P)H regeneration, and L4 reinforces metabolic flux. Metabolic modeling elucidates C1 assimilation, guiding strain optimization for co-fermentation of formate and glucose. Strain L4 achieves an OD600 of 0.5 and produces 0.6 g/L succinic acid. 13C-labeled formate confirms C1 assimilation, and further laboratory evolution yields 1.3 g/L succinic acid. This study showcases a successful model for biologically assimilating formate in C. glutamicum that could be applied in C1-based biotechnological production, ultimately forming a formate-based bioeconomy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Cheng Li
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore 138602, Singapore
| | - Yu-Cheng Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xin-Qing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Chen-Guang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Anthony J Sinskey
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore 138602, Singapore
| | - Feng-Wu Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Reiter MA, Bradley T, Büchel LA, Keller P, Hegedis E, Gassler T, Vorholt JA. A synthetic methylotrophic Escherichia coli as a chassis for bioproduction from methanol. Nat Catal 2024; 7:560-573. [PMID: 38828428 PMCID: PMC11136667 DOI: 10.1038/s41929-024-01137-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Methanol synthesized from captured greenhouse gases is an emerging renewable feedstock with great potential for bioproduction. Recent research has raised the prospect of methanol bioconversion to value-added products using synthetic methylotrophic Escherichia coli, as its metabolism can be rewired to enable growth solely on the reduced one-carbon compound. Here we describe the generation of an E. coli strain that grows on methanol at a doubling time of 4.3 h-comparable to many natural methylotrophs. To establish bioproduction from methanol using this synthetic chassis, we demonstrate biosynthesis from four metabolic nodes from which numerous bioproducts can be derived: lactic acid from pyruvate, polyhydroxybutyrate from acetyl coenzyme A, itaconic acid from the tricarboxylic acid cycle and p-aminobenzoic acid from the chorismate pathway. In a step towards carbon-negative chemicals and valorizing greenhouse gases, our work brings synthetic methylotrophy in E. coli within reach of industrial applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Reiter
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Timothy Bradley
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lars A. Büchel
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Keller
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Emese Hegedis
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Gassler
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Julia A. Vorholt
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Schulz-Mirbach H, Dronsella B, He H, Erb TJ. Creating new-to-nature carbon fixation: A guide. Metab Eng 2024; 82:12-28. [PMID: 38160747 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic biology aims at designing new biological functions from first principles. These new designs allow to expand the natural solution space and overcome the limitations of naturally evolved systems. One example is synthetic CO2-fixation pathways that promise to provide more efficient ways for the capture and conversion of CO2 than natural pathways, such as the Calvin Benson Bassham (CBB) cycle of photosynthesis. In this review, we provide a practical guideline for the design and realization of such new-to-nature CO2-fixation pathways. We introduce the concept of "synthetic CO2-fixation", and give a general overview over the enzymology and topology of synthetic pathways, before we derive general principles for their design from their eight naturally evolved analogs. We provide a comprehensive summary of synthetic carbon-assimilation pathways and derive a step-by-step, practical guide from the theoretical design to their practical implementation, before ending with an outlook on new developments in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helena Schulz-Mirbach
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Beau Dronsella
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043, Marburg, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Hai He
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tobias J Erb
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043, Marburg, Germany; Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 16, D-35043, Marburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Höhmann S, Briol TA, Ihle N, Frick O, Schmid A, Bühler B. Glycolate as alternative carbon source for Escherichia coli. J Biotechnol 2024; 381:76-85. [PMID: 38190849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
The physiology of different Escherichia coli stains was analyzed for growth with glycolate as a potentially promising sustainable sole source of carbon and energy. Different E. coli strains showed large differences regarding lag phases after provision of glycolate. Whereas E. coli W showed fast adaptation, E. coli BW25113, JM101, and BL21 (DE3) needed extensive time for adaption (up to 30 generations) until the attainable µmax was reached, which, at 30 °C, amounted to 0.20-0.25 h-1 for all strains. The overexpression of genes encoding glycolate degradation did neither overcome the need for adaptation of E. coli BL21 (DE3) nor improve growth of E. coli W. Rather, high level expression of proteins involved in uptake and initial degradation steps had an adverse effect on growth. Overall, the results show a promising capacity of E. coli strains for growth on glycolate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Höhmann
- Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tim Arik Briol
- Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nadine Ihle
- Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Oliver Frick
- Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Schmid
- Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Bruno Bühler
- Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wagner N, Wen L, Frazão CJR, Walther T. Next-generation feedstocks methanol and ethylene glycol and their potential in industrial biotechnology. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 69:108276. [PMID: 37918546 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fermentation processes are expected to play an important role in reducing dependence on fossil-based raw materials for the production of everyday chemicals. In order to meet the growing demand for biotechnological products in the future, alternative carbon sources that do not compete with human nutrition must be exploited. The chemical conversion of the industrially emitted greenhouse gas CO2 into microbially utilizable platform chemicals such as methanol represents a sustainable strategy for the utilization of an abundant carbon source and has attracted enormous scientific interest in recent years. A relatively new approach is the microbial synthesis of products from the C2-compound ethylene glycol, which can also be synthesized from CO2 and non-edible biomass and, in addition, can be recovered from plastic waste. Here we summarize the main chemical routes for the synthesis of methanol and ethylene glycol from sustainable resources and give an overview of recent metabolic engineering work for establishing natural and synthetic microbial assimilation pathways. The different metabolic routes for C1 and C2 alcohol-dependent bioconversions were compared in terms of their theoretical maximum yields and their oxygen requirements for a wide range of value-added products. Assessment of the process engineering challenges for methanol and ethylene glycol-based fermentations underscores the theoretical advantages of new synthetic metabolic routes and advocates greater consideration of ethylene glycol, a C2 substrate that has received comparatively little attention to date.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nils Wagner
- TU Dresden, Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Bergstraße 120, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Linxuan Wen
- TU Dresden, Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Bergstraße 120, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Cláudio J R Frazão
- TU Dresden, Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Bergstraße 120, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Walther
- TU Dresden, Institute of Natural Materials Technology, Bergstraße 120, 01062 Dresden, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kang DK, Kim SH, Sohn JH, Sung BH. Insights into Enzyme Reactions with Redox Cofactors in Biological Conversion of CO 2. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 33:1403-1411. [PMID: 37482811 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2306.06005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most abundant component of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and directly creates environmental issues such as global warming and climate change. Carbon capture and storage have been proposed mainly to solve the problem of increasing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere; however, more emphasis has recently been placed on its use. Among the many methods of using CO2, one of the key environmentally friendly technologies involves biologically converting CO2 into other organic substances such as biofuels, chemicals, and biomass via various metabolic pathways. Although an efficient biocatalyst for industrial applications has not yet been developed, biological CO2 conversion is the needed direction. To this end, this review briefly summarizes seven known natural CO2 fixation pathways according to carbon number and describes recent studies in which natural CO2 assimilation systems have been applied to heterogeneous in vivo and in vitro systems. In addition, studies on the production of methanol through the reduction of CO2 are introduced. The importance of redox cofactors, which are often overlooked in the CO2 assimilation reaction by enzymes, is presented; methods for their recycling are proposed. Although more research is needed, biological CO2 conversion will play an important role in reducing GHG emissions and producing useful substances in terms of resource cycling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Du-Kyeong Kang
- Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hwa Kim
- Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hoon Sohn
- Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong Hyun Sung
- Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mitic BM, Troyer C, Lutz L, Baumschabl M, Hann S, Mattanovich D. The oxygen-tolerant reductive glycine pathway assimilates methanol, formate and CO 2 in the yeast Komagataella phaffii. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7754. [PMID: 38012236 PMCID: PMC10682033 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43610-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The current climatic change is predominantly driven by excessive anthropogenic CO2 emissions. As industrial bioprocesses primarily depend on food-competing organic feedstocks or fossil raw materials, CO2 co-assimilation or the use of CO2-derived methanol or formate as carbon sources are considered pathbreaking contributions to solving this global problem. The number of industrially-relevant microorganisms that can use these two carbon sources is limited, and even fewer can concurrently co-assimilate CO2. Here, we search for alternative native methanol and formate assimilation pathways that co-assimilate CO2 in the industrially-relevant methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris). Using 13C-tracer-based metabolomic techniques and metabolic engineering approaches, we discover and confirm a growth supporting pathway based on native enzymes that can perform all three assimilations: namely, the oxygen-tolerant reductive glycine pathway. This finding paves the way towards metabolic engineering of formate and CO2 utilisation to produce proteins, biomass, or chemicals in yeast.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernd M Mitic
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christina Troyer
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Lutz
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Baumschabl
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephan Hann
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria
| | - Diethard Mattanovich
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria.
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kurt E, Qin J, Williams A, Zhao Y, Xie D. Perspectives for Using CO 2 as a Feedstock for Biomanufacturing of Fuels and Chemicals. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1357. [PMID: 38135948 PMCID: PMC10740661 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10121357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial cell factories offer an eco-friendly alternative for transforming raw materials into commercially valuable products because of their reduced carbon impact compared to conventional industrial procedures. These systems often depend on lignocellulosic feedstocks, mainly pentose and hexose sugars. One major hurdle when utilizing these sugars, especially glucose, is balancing carbon allocation to satisfy energy, cofactor, and other essential component needs for cellular proliferation while maintaining a robust yield. Nearly half or more of this carbon is inevitably lost as CO2 during the biosynthesis of regular metabolic necessities. This loss lowers the production yield and compromises the benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions-a fundamental advantage of biomanufacturing. This review paper posits the perspectives of using CO2 from the atmosphere, industrial wastes, or the exhausted gases generated in microbial fermentation as a feedstock for biomanufacturing. Achieving the carbon-neutral or -negative goals is addressed under two main strategies. The one-step strategy uses novel metabolic pathway design and engineering approaches to directly fix the CO2 toward the synthesis of the desired products. Due to the limitation of the yield and efficiency in one-step fixation, the two-step strategy aims to integrate firstly the electrochemical conversion of the exhausted CO2 into C1/C2 products such as formate, methanol, acetate, and ethanol, and a second fermentation process to utilize the CO2-derived C1/C2 chemicals or co-utilize C5/C6 sugars and C1/C2 chemicals for product formation. The potential and challenges of using CO2 as a feedstock for future biomanufacturing of fuels and chemicals are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elif Kurt
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (E.K.); (J.Q.); (A.W.)
| | - Jiansong Qin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (E.K.); (J.Q.); (A.W.)
| | - Alexandria Williams
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (E.K.); (J.Q.); (A.W.)
| | - Youbo Zhao
- Physical Sciences Inc., 20 New England Business Ctr., Andover, MA 01810, USA;
| | - Dongming Xie
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (E.K.); (J.Q.); (A.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Benman W, Datta S, Gonzalez-Martinez D, Lee G, Hooper J, Qian G, Leavitt G, Salloum L, Ho G, Mhatre S, Magaraci MS, Patterson M, Mannickarottu SG, Malani S, Avalos JL, Chow BY, Bugaj LJ. High-throughput feedback-enabled optogenetic stimulation and spectroscopy in microwell plates. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1192. [PMID: 38001175 PMCID: PMC10673842 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05532-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to perform sophisticated, high-throughput optogenetic experiments has been greatly enhanced by recent open-source illumination devices that allow independent programming of light patterns in single wells of microwell plates. However, there is currently a lack of instrumentation to monitor such experiments in real time, necessitating repeated transfers of the samples to stand-alone analytical instruments, thus limiting the types of experiments that could be performed. Here we address this gap with the development of the optoPlateReader (oPR), an open-source, solid-state, compact device that allows automated optogenetic stimulation and spectroscopy in each well of a 96-well plate. The oPR integrates an optoPlate illumination module with a module called the optoReader, an array of 96 photodiodes and LEDs that allows 96 parallel light measurements. The oPR was optimized for stimulation with blue light and for measurements of optical density and fluorescence. After calibration of all device components, we used the oPR to measure growth and to induce and measure fluorescent protein expression in E. coli. We further demonstrated how the optical read/write capabilities of the oPR permit computer-in-the-loop feedback control, where the current state of the sample can be used to adjust the optical stimulation parameters of the sample according to pre-defined feedback algorithms. The oPR will thus help realize an untapped potential for optogenetic experiments by enabling automated reading, writing, and feedback in microwell plates through open-source hardware that is accessible, customizable, and inexpensive.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William Benman
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Saachi Datta
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | | | - Gloria Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Juliette Hooper
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Grace Qian
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Gabrielle Leavitt
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lana Salloum
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Gabrielle Ho
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Sharvari Mhatre
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Michael S Magaraci
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Michael Patterson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | | | - Saurabh Malani
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Jose L Avalos
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
- The Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
- High Meadows Environmental Institute, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Brian Y Chow
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lukasz J Bugaj
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Orsi E, Nikel PI, Nielsen LK, Donati S. Synergistic investigation of natural and synthetic C1-trophic microorganisms to foster a circular carbon economy. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6673. [PMID: 37865689 PMCID: PMC10590403 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42166-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A true circular carbon economy must upgrade waste greenhouse gases. C1-based biomanufacturing is an attractive solution, in which one carbon (C1) molecules (e.g. CO2, formate, methanol, etc.) are converted by microbial cell factories into value-added goods (i.e. food, feed, and chemicals). To render C1-based biomanufacturing cost-competitive, we must adapt microbial metabolism to perform chemical conversions at high rates and yields. To this end, the biotechnology community has undertaken two (seemingly opposing) paths: optimizing natural C1-trophic microorganisms versus engineering synthetic C1-assimilation de novo in model microorganisms. Here, we pose how these approaches can instead create synergies for strengthening the competitiveness of C1-based biomanufacturing as a whole.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Orsi
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pablo Ivan Nikel
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lars Keld Nielsen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, 4072, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Stefano Donati
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Collas F, Dronsella BB, Kubis A, Schann K, Binder S, Arto N, Claassens NJ, Kensy F, Orsi E. Engineering the biological conversion of formate into crotonate in Cupriavidus necator. Metab Eng 2023; 79:49-65. [PMID: 37414134 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
To advance the sustainability of the biobased economy, our society needs to develop novel bioprocesses based on truly renewable resources. The C1-molecule formate is increasingly proposed as carbon and energy source for microbial fermentations, as it can be efficiently generated electrochemically from CO2 and renewable energy. Yet, its biotechnological conversion into value-added compounds has been limited to a handful of examples. In this work, we engineered the natural formatotrophic bacterium C. necator as cell factory to enable biological conversion of formate into crotonate, a platform short-chain unsaturated carboxylic acid of biotechnological relevance. First, we developed a small-scale (150-mL working volume) cultivation setup for growing C. necator in minimal medium using formate as only carbon and energy source. By using a fed-batch strategy with automatic feeding of formic acid, we could increase final biomass concentrations 15-fold compared to batch cultivations in flasks. Then, we engineered a heterologous crotonate pathway in the bacterium via a modular approach, where each pathway section was assessed using multiple candidates. The best performing modules included a malonyl-CoA bypass for increasing the thermodynamic drive towards the intermediate acetoacetyl-CoA and subsequent conversion to crotonyl-CoA through partial reverse β-oxidation. This pathway architecture was then tested for formate-based biosynthesis in our fed-batch setup, resulting in a two-fold higher titer, three-fold higher productivity, and five-fold higher yield compared to the strain not harboring the bypass. Eventually, we reached a maximum product titer of 148.0 ± 6.8 mg/L. Altogether, this work consists in a proof-of-principle integrating bioprocess and metabolic engineering approaches for the biological upgrading of formate into a value-added platform chemical.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Beau B Dronsella
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | | | - Karin Schann
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | | | | | - Nico J Claassens
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Enrico Orsi
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|