Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

13C6-Glucose Labeling Associated with LC-MS: Identification of Plant Primary Organs in Secondary Metabolite Synthesis
Published on: March 22, 2024
Combinatorial biosynthesis of medicinal plant secondary metabolites
Mattijs K Julsing1, Albert Koulman, Herman J Woerdenbag
1Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Combinatorial biosynthesis is a new tool in the generation of novel natural products and for the production of rare and expensive natural products. The basic concept is combining metabolic pathways in different organisms on a genetic level. As a consequence heterologous organisms provide precursors from their own primary and secondary metabolism that are metabolised to the desired secondary product due to the expression of foreign genes. In this review we discuss the possibilities and limitations of combining genes from different organisms and the expression of heterologous genes. Major focuses are fundamentals of the genetic work, used expression systems and latest progress in this field. Combinatorial biosynthesis is discussed for important classes of natural products, including alkaloids (vinblastine, vincristine), terpenoids (artemisinin, paclitaxel) and flavonoids. The role and importance of today's used host organisms is critically described, and the latest approaches discussed to give an outlook for future trends and possibilities.
Related Concept Videos
Biosynthesis in Bacteria
Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways
Production of Antibiotics
Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids
Biosynthesis of Lipids
Biosynthesis of Polysaccharides
