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Updated: Sep 21, 2025
06:24
Generic Protocol for Optimization of Heterologous Protein Production Using Automated Microbioreactor Technology
Published on: December 15, 2017
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Potential use of microbial engineering in single-cell protein production
Balaji Balagurunathan1, Hua Ling2, Won Jae Choi3
1Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A⁎STAR) 1, Pesek Road, Jurong Island, 627833, Singapore.
Current Opinion in Biotechnology
|June 6, 2022
Summary
Synthetic biology and genetic engineering advance single-cell protein (SCP) production for food and feed. These tools improve SCP quality and yield, addressing current production challenges.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microbiology
- Food Science
Background:
- Single-cell proteins (SCPs) are utilized in human food and animal feed, but face production and commercialization hurdles.
- Advances in microbial synthetic biology, genomic engineering, and biofoundry technologies offer solutions for enhancing SCPs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review synthetic biology, genomic engineering, and biofoundry tools for SCP production and genetic modification.
- To describe applications of genetic modification in producing intermediate feedstocks, biomass-based, and multifunctional SCPs.
- To discuss challenges in deploying genetic modification for SCPs in food and feed.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on synthetic biology tools.
- Analysis of genomic engineering techniques for microorganism modification.
- Exploration of biofoundry capabilities in SCP development.
Main Results:
- Identification of key tools for improving SCP productivity, nutritional, and functional quality.
- Overview of applications in creating novel SCP products and feedstocks.
- Highlighting technological and policy challenges for SCP commercialization.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic biology and genetic engineering are crucial for overcoming SCP production limitations.
- Genetic modification offers diverse applications for advanced SCP development.
- Addressing technological and policy barriers is essential for widespread SCP adoption.
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