Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 3, 2026

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste
Published on: July 18, 2025
Engineering Biosynthesis Mechanisms for Diversifying Polyhydroxyalkanoates
Guo-Qiang Chen1, Ivan Hajnal2, Hong Wu2
1Ministry of Education Key Lab of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Center for Nano and Micro Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Therapeutics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
Abstract:
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are a family of diverse biopolyesters synthesized by bacteria. PHA diversity, as reflected by its monomers, homopolymers, random and block copolymers, as well as functional polymers, can now be generated by engineering the three basic synthesis pathways including the acetoacetyl-CoA pathway, in situ fatty acid synthesis, and/or β-oxidation cycles, as well as PHA synthase specificity. It is now possible to tailor the PHA structures via genome editing or process engineering. The increasing PHA diversity and maturing PHA production technology should lead to more focused research into their low-cost and/or high-value applications.
Related Concept Videos
Bioplastics
Biosynthesis of Polysaccharides
Production of Organic Acids
Biosynthesis in Bacteria
Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics
Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

