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

Bioplastics01:27

Bioplastics

73
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...
73
Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics01:28

Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics

144
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a synthetic polymer widely utilized in the packaging industry, particularly for bottles and containers. Due to its chemical stability and durability, PET accumulates in the environment, contributing significantly to plastic pollution. It comprises repeating units of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, resulting in a semi-crystalline structure that is resistant to natural degradation processes.A notable breakthrough in plastic biodegradation came with the...
144
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching01:17

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching

1.8K
The skeletal structure of polymers synthesized via radical polymerization is always branched. For example, the polymerization of ethylene by radical polymerization results in a low-density grade of polyethylene with a heavily branched skeletal structure. Here, the radical site abstracts hydrogen from the growing chain, and the radical site shifts from the end (a primary carbon center) to anywhere within the growing chain (a secondary carbon center). Consequently, the part of the chain from the...
1.8K
Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

2.9K
Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
2.9K
Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

3.8K
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...
3.8K
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:20

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

1.8K
The polymerization process that involves carbanion as an intermediate is called anionic polymerization. It is also a type of addition or chain-growth polymerization. Anionic polymerization gets initiated by a strong nucleophile such as an organolithium or a Grignard reagent. The most commonly used initiator for anionic polymerization is butyl lithium. Monomers involved in anionic polymerization must possess a vinyl group bonded to one or two electron-withdrawing groups. For instance,...
1.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

A metabolic model based on a pangenome core reveals putative conserved biochemical features of the phytopathogen Xylella fastidiosa.

Microbiological research·2026
Same author

Incorporation of Cryptic Plasmid Energetics Improves Genome-Scale Metabolic Predictions in Probiotic E. coli Nissle 1917.

Microbial biotechnology·2026
Same author

Genetic engineering of gut commensals: heterologous protein expression in <i>Bifidobacterium animalis</i> subsp. <i>lactis</i> CECT8145.

Current research in microbial sciences·2026
Same author

Endothelial damage and complement dysregulation in fetuses from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia.

Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica·2025
Same author

Circulating extracellular vesicles and neutrophil extracellular traps contribute to endothelial dysfunction in preeclampsia.

Frontiers in immunology·2024
Same author

The Effect of the Combination of Two Postbiotics on Anxiety-like Behavior in Animal Models.

Cells·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 6, 2026

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste
08:14

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste

Published on: July 18, 2025

1.7K

Second-generation functionalized medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates: the gateway to high-value bioplastic

Marta Tortajada1, Luiziana Ferreira da Silva, María Auxiliadora Prieto

  • 1Microbial Biotechnology Department, BIOPOLIS SL, Valencia, Spain.

International Microbiology : the Official Journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology
|October 25, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHAs) are versatile biopolymers. Recent advancements focus on strain and bioprocess design for cost-effective production of functionalized mcl-PHAs, enabling wider applications.

More Related Videos

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
10:22

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer

Published on: November 30, 2020

2.8K
Microwave-assisted Functionalization of Polyethylene glycol and On-resin Peptides for Use in Chain Polymerizations and Hydrogel Formation
15:33

Microwave-assisted Functionalization of Polyethylene glycol and On-resin Peptides for Use in Chain Polymerizations and Hydrogel Formation

Published on: October 29, 2013

29.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 6, 2026

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste
08:14

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste

Published on: July 18, 2025

1.7K
Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
10:22

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer

Published on: November 30, 2020

2.8K
Microwave-assisted Functionalization of Polyethylene glycol and On-resin Peptides for Use in Chain Polymerizations and Hydrogel Formation
15:33

Microwave-assisted Functionalization of Polyethylene glycol and On-resin Peptides for Use in Chain Polymerizations and Hydrogel Formation

Published on: October 29, 2013

29.2K

Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Polymer Science
  • Microbial Engineering

Background:

  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable polyesters produced by bacteria.
  • Medium-chain-length PHAs (mcl-PHAs) offer tunable properties via functionalization.
  • Applications in biomedicine are emerging but limited by production challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent developments in functionalized mcl-PHA production.
  • To highlight strain and bioprocess design strategies.
  • To address cost-effective production for wider applicability.

Main Methods:

  • Review of literature on PHA biosynthesis and modification.
  • Analysis of strain engineering and bioprocess optimization techniques.
  • Discussion of precursor feeding and de novo synthesis pathways.

Main Results:

  • Functionalized mcl-PHAs exhibit altered mechanical and thermal properties.
  • Production is constrained by precursor toxicity and low yields.
  • Systems biology and cofeeding strategies show promise for improvement.

Conclusions:

  • Strain and bioprocess optimization are crucial for cost-effective functionalized mcl-PHA production.
  • Advancements in these areas can overcome current limitations.
  • Wider application of these biopolymers is achievable through improved production methods.