A Highly Compatible Phototrophic Community for Carbon-Negative Biosynthesis

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Synthetic Biology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Artificial photosynthetic communities offer advantages over monocultures for complex biosynthesis.
• Developing highly compatible photosynthetic communities (HCPCs) remains a significant challenge.
• CO2 sequestration engineering is crucial for carbon-negative biosynthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly compatible photosynthetic community (HCPC) for efficient CO2 sequestration and conversion.
• To integrate a sucrose-producing CO2 sequestration module with an efficient sucrose utilization module.
• To assess the carbon footprint of the end products generated by the HCPC.

Main Methods:

• Stepwise metabolic engineering of a cyanobacteria CO2 sequestration module.
• Coupling the engineered module with the Vibrio natriegens sucrose utilization module.
• Integrated omics analysis to understand intercellular communication and metabolic pathways.

Main Results:

• Successful development of a highly compatible photosynthetic community (HCPC).
• Enhanced photosynthetic electron transport and extracellular vesicles observed, promoting intercellular communication.
• The HCPC effectively channeled CO2 into valuable chemicals, achieving a negative carbon footprint ranging from -22.27 to -606.59 kg CO2 e kg-1.

Conclusions:

• The novel light-driven HCPC demonstrates potential for carbon-negative biosynthesis.
• This engineered community facilitates the conversion of CO2 into valuable products.
• The HCPC system offers a promising platform for future circular economic applications.