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Engineering Cellular Metabolism
Jens Nielsen1, Jay D Keasling2
1Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 10, SE412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kogle Allé, DK2970-Hørsholm, Denmark; Science for Life Laboratory, Royal Institute of Technology, SE17121-Solna, Sweden.
Cell
|March 12, 2016
Summary
Metabolic engineering rewires cellular metabolism for producing valuable products like fuels and pharmaceuticals. New technologies aim to overcome cellular regulation challenges for industrial-scale applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology
- Cellular Metabolism and Systems Biology
Background:
- Metabolic engineering aims to modify cellular metabolism for enhanced production of native or novel compounds.
- Applications span biofuels, chemicals, food, feed, and pharmaceuticals.
- Cellular metabolic networks are robust and tightly regulated, posing challenges to redirection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state and challenges in metabolic engineering.
- To discuss how emerging technologies can facilitate industrial-scale metabolic engineering.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing metabolic engineering strategies.
- Discussion of novel technological approaches to overcome cellular regulation.
- Analysis of methods for controlling endogenous metabolism and introducing heterologous pathways.
Main Results:
- Metabolic engineering holds vast potential across diverse industries.
- Cellular regulation presents a significant hurdle to efficient metabolic redirection.
- New technologies offer promising solutions for industrial scalability.
Conclusions:
- Advancements in metabolic engineering are crucial for sustainable production of valuable compounds.
- Overcoming cellular regulatory mechanisms is key to unlocking industrial potential.
- Technological innovation will drive the scale-up of metabolic engineering applications.
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