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

Biosynthesis in Bacteria01:24

Biosynthesis in Bacteria

437
Biosynthesis in bacteria is a fundamental anabolic process that generates essential macromolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and polysaccharides. These macromolecules are critical for cellular growth, replication, and function. The process is tightly regulated and energetically linked to catabolic pathways to ensure optimal resource utilization.Biosynthetic pathways begin with precursor metabolites such as pyruvate, acetyl-CoA, and glucose-6-phosphate derived from glycolysis,...
437
Amino Acid Catabolism01:18

Amino Acid Catabolism

729
Microorganisms rely on proteins as an essential carbon and energy source, particularly in environments with limited polysaccharides or lipids. However, proteins are too large to cross the plasma membrane unaided, necessitating enzymatic degradation. Microbes secrete extracellular proteases and peptidases that hydrolyze proteins into peptides, which can then be transported across the membrane. Once inside the cell, intracellular proteases degrade these peptides into free amino acids, which...
729
Microbial Fermentation01:23

Microbial Fermentation

1.1K
Fermentation is a crucial anaerobic metabolic process that enables microbes to derive energy from sugar without relying on oxygen or an electron transport chain. This process is fundamental to various biological and industrial applications and is classified based on the metabolic products generated.Role of Pyruvate in FermentationPyruvate and its derivatives serve as key electron acceptors in fermentative pathways. The oxidation of NADH to regenerate NAD+ is essential for the continuation of...
1.1K
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms01:30

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

771
Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
771
Eukaryotic Compartmentalization01:37

Eukaryotic Compartmentalization

17.2K
One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
For example, lysosomes in the animal...
17.2K
Eukaryotic Compartmentalizations01:46

Eukaryotic Compartmentalizations

171.1K
One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
For example, lysosomes in the animal cells...
171.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Multi-lab, multi-enzyme study demonstrates the versatility of bacterial microcompartment shells as a modular platform for confined biocatalysis.

Metabolic engineering·2026
Same author

Many paths, similar destinations: viruses and bacterial microcompartments form polyhedra inside cells.

Journal of virology·2026
Same author

Photoactivation Transition State and Dynamical Response of the Orange Carotenoid Protein.

The journal of physical chemistry. B·2025
Same author

Molecular Modeling and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of a Packed and Intact Bacterial Microcompartment.

The journal of physical chemistry. B·2025
Same author

Phycobilisome core architecture influences photoprotective quenching by the Orange Carotenoid Protein.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025
Same author

The linker protein ApcI regulates light harvesting under red light in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

The Plant cell·2025
Same journal

Microbial C1 assimilation pathways for chemical synthesis: from native metabolism to synthetic design.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
Same journal

Medicinal plants fermentation: current knowledge and perspectives.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
Same journal

Fermented foods: lessons learned from metagenomics.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
Same journal

Microfluidic platforms for the transient transfection of mammalian cells: recent developments and challenges.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
Same journal

Harvesting insights from recent advances in yeast genomics for predictable and precision wine fermentation.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
Same journal

Minimal enzyme cascades for the aromatic-to-aromatic upgrading of lignin monomers.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Preparation of Multifunctional Silk-Based Microcapsules Loaded with DNA Plasmids Encoding RNA Aptamers and Riboswitches
10:07

Preparation of Multifunctional Silk-Based Microcapsules Loaded with DNA Plasmids Encoding RNA Aptamers and Riboswitches

Published on: October 8, 2021

1.6K

Engineered bacterial microcompartments: apps for programming metabolism.

Cheryl A Kerfeld1, Markus Sutter1

  • 1MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory and Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology and Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Divisions, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.

Current Opinion in Biotechnology
|June 20, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are protein-based cellular structures that compartmentalize metabolic reactions. Their modular and adaptable protein shells are highly amenable to genetic engineering for biotechnological applications.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Optimizing CFPS Systems for Synthetic Cell Construction
07:43

Author Spotlight: Optimizing CFPS Systems for Synthetic Cell Construction

Published on: April 19, 2024

3.7K
Generic Protocol for Optimization of Heterologous Protein Production Using Automated Microbioreactor Technology
06:24

Generic Protocol for Optimization of Heterologous Protein Production Using Automated Microbioreactor Technology

Published on: December 15, 2017

10.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Preparation of Multifunctional Silk-Based Microcapsules Loaded with DNA Plasmids Encoding RNA Aptamers and Riboswitches
10:07

Preparation of Multifunctional Silk-Based Microcapsules Loaded with DNA Plasmids Encoding RNA Aptamers and Riboswitches

Published on: October 8, 2021

1.6K
Author Spotlight: Optimizing CFPS Systems for Synthetic Cell Construction
07:43

Author Spotlight: Optimizing CFPS Systems for Synthetic Cell Construction

Published on: April 19, 2024

3.7K
Generic Protocol for Optimization of Heterologous Protein Production Using Automated Microbioreactor Technology
06:24

Generic Protocol for Optimization of Heterologous Protein Production Using Automated Microbioreactor Technology

Published on: December 15, 2017

10.5K

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Synthetic biology

Background:

  • Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are protein-based organelles found in bacteria.
  • They compartmentalize enzymatic reactions, similar to eukaryotic organelles.
  • BMCs are composed entirely of protein, making them targets for genetic engineering.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of Bacterial Microcompartments (BMCs) for biotechnological applications.
  • To highlight the modular structure and protein-based nature of BMCs for genetic modification.
  • To discuss BMCs as programmable metabolic modules.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of BMC structure and protein composition.
  • Review of recent developments in genetic engineering of BMCs.
  • Exploration of BMC shell protein interchangeability and adaptability.

Main Results:

  • BMCs possess a unique protein-only structure, distinct from viral capsids.
  • BMC shell proteins are surprisingly interchangeable and amenable to engineered modifications.
  • The modular nature of BMCs allows for programming and debugging of metabolic pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) offer a versatile platform for metabolic engineering.
  • Their protein-based, modular structure facilitates custom design for biotechnological purposes.
  • BMCs can be viewed as 'apps' for programming bacterial metabolism, with potential for adaptive evolution-driven improvements.