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

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

4.5K
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...
4.5K
Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

2.6K
The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the polymer...
2.6K
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:20

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

2.7K
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,...
2.7K
Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

9.9K
The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.
9.9K
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching01:17

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching

2.5K
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...
2.5K
Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

2.9K
Step growth polymerization involves bi or multifunctional monomers. Bifunctional monomers react to form linear step growth polymers, whereas multifunctional monomers react to form non-linear or branched polymers.
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...
2.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Neuroanatomical substrates of perivascular space index: a morphometric and tractography study.

Frontiers in psychiatry·2026
Same author

Retraction Note: Time-of-day immunochemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: a randomized phase 3 trial.

Nature medicine·2026
Same author

Melatonin in Livestock Production: Bridging Chronobiology, Health, and Sustainable Outcomes.

The Journal of nutrition·2026
Same author

Machine learning-based genome-wide association analysis to construct a clinical decision model for severe neonatal jaundice.

Translational pediatrics·2026
Same author

Incidence and nomogram for postoperative pulmonary infection in pediatric patients following major abdominal surgery: A comprehensive analysis.

Medicine·2026
Same author

Vunakizumab for Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

JAMA network open·2026
Same journal

[Recent progress and policy recommendations for biomanufacturing technology in China].

Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology·2026
Same journal

[CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the <i>Soc</i> gene in T4 bacteriophage and mutant construction].

Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology·2026
Same journal

[High-throughput fluorescence-activated droplet sorting of polyethylene terephthalate hydrolases based on fluorescent nanoparticle biosensors].

Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology·2026
Same journal

[Machine learning-optimized solid-state fermentation of non-grain biomass for enhanced feed protein production].

Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology·2026
Same journal

[Growth and metabolic characteristics and kinetic modeling of MDCK adherent cells cultured in basket bioreactors].

Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology·2026
Same journal

[Metabolic engineering of <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> for <i>de novo</i> biosynthesis of gibberellin A<sub>3</sub>].

Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 21, 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

1.4K

[Progress on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)].

Jin Yin1, Xuemei Che1, Guoqiang Chen1

  • 1School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.

Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao = Chinese Journal of Biotechnology
|October 12, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) diversity has expanded with new monomers and structures, alongside advanced manufacturing. Synthetic biology and seawater biotechnology are making these bioplastics more cost-effective and competitive.

Keywords:
PHAomePHA’s applicationpolyhydroxyalkanoatesseawater-based biotechnologysynthetic biology

More Related Videos

Stabilizing Hepatocellular Phenotype Using Optimized Synthetic Surfaces
08:50

Stabilizing Hepatocellular Phenotype Using Optimized Synthetic Surfaces

Published on: September 26, 2014

10.6K
Aerobic Biodegradation Testing of Materials Using a Natural Marine Seawater Inoculum and Closed Loop Respirometer
08:43

Aerobic Biodegradation Testing of Materials Using a Natural Marine Seawater Inoculum and Closed Loop Respirometer

Published on: October 24, 2025

460

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 21, 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

1.4K
Stabilizing Hepatocellular Phenotype Using Optimized Synthetic Surfaces
08:50

Stabilizing Hepatocellular Phenotype Using Optimized Synthetic Surfaces

Published on: September 26, 2014

10.6K
Aerobic Biodegradation Testing of Materials Using a Natural Marine Seawater Inoculum and Closed Loop Respirometer
08:43

Aerobic Biodegradation Testing of Materials Using a Natural Marine Seawater Inoculum and Closed Loop Respirometer

Published on: October 24, 2025

460

Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Polymer Science
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) represent a diverse class of biopolyesters with growing industrial relevance.
  • Advancements in biotechnology and manufacturing have significantly expanded the diversity and production capabilities of PHAs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the expanding diversity of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), including monomers, structures, and polymerization modes.
  • To highlight the impact of synthetic biology and seawater-based biotechnology on PHA production costs and economic competitiveness.
  • To discuss commercialized PHA products and emerging high-value applications.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on PHA diversity and production technologies.
  • Analysis of advancements in synthetic biology and biotechnology for cost reduction.
  • Case studies of commercialized PHA products and high-value applications.

Main Results:

  • The concept of "PHAome" encapsulates the increasing diversity in PHA monomers, structures, and polymerization.
  • Synthetic biology and seawater-based biotechnology are key drivers in reducing PHA production costs.
  • Several PHA products are now commercialized, with exploration into high-value applications underway.

Conclusions:

  • The field of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) has evolved significantly, offering a wider range of materials.
  • Biotechnological innovations are enhancing the economic viability and application scope of PHAs.
  • PHA bioplastics are becoming increasingly competitive for various industrial uses.