De novo phenol bioproduction from glucose using biosensor-assisted microbial coculture engineering

Area of Science:

• Synthetic biology
• Metabolic engineering
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Microbial biosynthesis is key for producing chemicals from renewable resources.
• Challenges exist in optimizing intermediate provision for complex biosynthetic pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance phenol bioproduction from glucose using engineered microbial cocultures.
• To integrate metabolite biosensors for improved pathway performance.

Main Methods:

• Constructed E. coli cocultures for independent 4-hydroxybenzoate (4HB) and tyrosine (TYR) phenol biosynthesis pathways.
• Employed biosensor-assisted microbial cell selection to overcome intermediate limitations.
• Optimized coculture conditions and scaled up production.

Main Results:

• Phenol production increased by 2.3-fold (4HB pathway) and 3.9-fold (TYR pathway) compared to monocultures.
• Achieved a phenol bioproduction yield of 0.057 g/g glucose.
• Demonstrated successful scale-up in shake flasks and bioreactors.

Conclusions:

• Coupling biosensing with modular coculture engineering significantly advances microbial biosynthesis.
• This integrated approach holds great potential for producing valuable molecules from renewable feedstocks.
• Coculture engineering is advantageous when combined with biosensing strategies.