Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Biosynthesis in Bacteria01:24

Biosynthesis in Bacteria

Biosynthesis in bacteria is a fundamental anabolic process that generates essential macromolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and polysaccharides. These macromolecules are critical for cellular growth, replication, and function. The process is tightly regulated and energetically linked to catabolic pathways to ensure optimal resource utilization.Biosynthetic pathways begin with precursor metabolites such as pyruvate, acetyl-CoA, and glucose-6-phosphate derived from glycolysis,...
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Bioplastics01:27

Bioplastics

Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...
Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria01:29

Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria

The DNA replication, transcription, and translation processes are intricately coupled in bacteria, allowing efficient gene expression and rapid protein synthesis. While this physical and functional coordination is advantageous, it introduces challenges that bacteria overcome through specific regulatory mechanisms.Coupling of Replication, Transcription, and TranslationThe coupling of replication, transcription, and translation is a hallmark of bacterial gene expression. As the replisome unwinds...
Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Step-growth or condensation polymerization is a stepwise reaction of bi or multifunctional monomers to form long-chain polymers. As all the monomers are reactive, most of the monomers are consumed at the early stages of the reaction to form small chains of reactive oligomers, which then combine to form long polymer chains in the late stages. Hence, the reaction has to proceed for a long time to achieve high molecular weight polymers.
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
Bacterial RNA Polymerase00:43

Bacterial RNA Polymerase

Unlike eukaryotes, bacteria use a single RNA Polymerase (RNAP) to transcribe all genes. The different subunits of bacterial RNAPhave distinct functions. The multisubunit structure of the bacterial RNAP helps the enzyme to maintain catalytic function, facilitate assembly, interact with DNA and RNA, and self-regulate its activity.
In most genes, the transcription site is a single base present upstream of the coding sequence. Though RNAP is a catalytically efficient enzyme, it does not recognize...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Dual-Mode Native Mass Spectrometry Screening Identifies Ginsenoside Ligands of 6-Hydroxymethyl-7,8-Dihydropterin Pyrophosphokinase (HPPK).

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Robust Bioconjugated Antigens Induce Immune Responses Preventing Malaria Infection and its Transmission.

Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)·2026
Same author

Advancing Collision-Induced Affinity Selection Mass Spectrometry for Quantitative Ligand Analysis in Complex Mixtures.

Analytical chemistry·2026
Same author

Adjuvant-free biopolymer particles mimicking the Chikungunya virus surface induce protective immunity.

Biomaterials·2026
Same author

<i>Atkinsonella hypoxylon</i> virus capsid structure highlights the diversity of capsid proteins among the <i>Partitiviridae</i>.

The Journal of general virology·2026
Same author

Peptide Display Directed Assembly of Biopolymer Core-Silica Shell Particles.

Advanced healthcare materials·2025
Same journal

Reframing risk assessment for malaria elimination in a changing climate.

Nature reviews. Microbiology·2026
Same journal

Bacterial vesicles protect the membrane during polymyxin stress.

Nature reviews. Microbiology·2026
Same journal

Fermented food microbiome: influence on oral and gut microbiota, and human health.

Nature reviews. Microbiology·2026
Same journal

Klebsiella genus as driver of human disease: from infections to non-communicable disorders.

Nature reviews. Microbiology·2026
Same journal

Coupling experiments and macroecological models to resolve multi-stressor effects in vector-pathogen systems.

Nature reviews. Microbiology·2026
Same journal

A new antibiotic scaffold hits a new target.

Nature reviews. Microbiology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

High-throughput Identification of Bacteria Repellent Polymers for Medical Devices
10:43

High-throughput Identification of Bacteria Repellent Polymers for Medical Devices

Published on: November 5, 2016

Bacterial polymers: biosynthesis, modifications and applications.

Bernd H A Rehm1

  • 1Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand. B.Rehm@massey.ac.nz

Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|June 29, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bacteria produce diverse biopolymers with valuable properties for industry and medicine. Understanding biosynthesis and regulation enables metabolic engineering for efficient, customized production of these renewable resources.

More Related Videos

Fission Yeast as a Platform for Antibacterial Drug Screens Targeting Bacterial Cytoskeleton Proteins
05:57

Fission Yeast as a Platform for Antibacterial Drug Screens Targeting Bacterial Cytoskeleton Proteins

Published on: April 26, 2024

Synthesis of Masarimycin, a Small Molecule Inhibitor of Gram-Positive Bacterial Growth
09:10

Synthesis of Masarimycin, a Small Molecule Inhibitor of Gram-Positive Bacterial Growth

Published on: January 7, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 11, 2026

High-throughput Identification of Bacteria Repellent Polymers for Medical Devices
10:43

High-throughput Identification of Bacteria Repellent Polymers for Medical Devices

Published on: November 5, 2016

Fission Yeast as a Platform for Antibacterial Drug Screens Targeting Bacterial Cytoskeleton Proteins
05:57

Fission Yeast as a Platform for Antibacterial Drug Screens Targeting Bacterial Cytoskeleton Proteins

Published on: April 26, 2024

Synthesis of Masarimycin, a Small Molecule Inhibitor of Gram-Positive Bacterial Growth
09:10

Synthesis of Masarimycin, a Small Molecule Inhibitor of Gram-Positive Bacterial Growth

Published on: January 7, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biotechnology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Bacteria naturally synthesize a diverse array of biopolymers.
  • These biopolymers possess unique material properties applicable in industrial and medical fields.
  • Current knowledge provides a basis for engineering these polymers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review key aspects of bacterial biopolymer production.
  • To highlight the link between understanding biosynthesis and material properties.
  • To promote the use of bacterial biopolymers as renewable products.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of bacterial biopolymer synthesis.
  • Analysis of metabolic and protein engineering strategies.
  • Discussion of material property characterization.

Main Results:

  • Bacteria synthesize a broad spectrum of biopolymers with functional diversity.
  • Metabolic and protein engineering can enhance production efficiency.
  • Tailor-made biopolymers with specific material properties can be developed.

Conclusions:

  • Enhanced understanding of biosynthesis and regulation is crucial.
  • Engineering approaches improve economic viability and material performance.
  • Bacterial biopolymers represent valuable, sustainable resources.