Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

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...

Microbial Nutrition

Microbial Nutrition

Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...

Carbon-dioxide Fixation

Carbon-dioxide Fixation

Carbon dioxide fixation in prokaryotes enables the assimilation of inorganic carbon into organic molecules, supporting biosynthetic pathways, sustaining ecosystems, and contributing to the global carbon cycle. It also has industrial applications in carbon capture and bioproduct synthesis. Autotrophic organisms rely on this process to utilize CO₂ as a carbon source in diverse environments.The Calvin CycleThe Calvin cycle is the most widespread carbon fixation mechanism, primarily used by...

Amino Acid Catabolism

Amino Acid Catabolism

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...

Bioremediation

Bioremediation

Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.

Lipid Catabolism

Lipid Catabolism

Triglycerides serve as crucial long-term energy storage molecules in microorganisms, providing a dense source of metabolic energy. Their breakdown is mediated by lipases, which hydrolyze triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids. Each of these components follows distinct metabolic pathways, ultimately contributing to ATP synthesis and cellular energy homeostasis.Glycerol MetabolismGlycerol, released from triglyceride hydrolysis, is phosphorylated by glycerol kinase to form...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Hydrogen-Bond Network Collapse and Molecular Confinement in Ethanol-Water Mixtures at the Azeotrope.

The journal of physical chemistry letters·2026

Same author

[Metabolic engineering of <i>Escherichia coli</i> for l- threonine synthesis with glucose and formate as co-substrates].

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

Same author

[Metabolic engineering of <i>Corynebacterium glutamicum</i> for glutaric acid production].

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

Same author

GM-CSF and IL-1α secreted by cryopreserved porcine skin promote angiogenesis in burn wounds by activating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

American journal of translational research·2026

Same author

Programming the translational landscape for predictable gene expression.

Biotechnology advances·2026

Same author

Systems engineering of <i>Escherichia coli</i> for high-level hydroxytyrosol production.

Synthetic and systems biotechnology·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 19, 2025

Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site

Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site

Published on: July 24, 2018

Engineering microbial carbon metabolism for sustainable resource utilization.

Xin Meng¹, Cong Gao¹, Guipeng Hu²

¹School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.

Biotechnology Advances

|June 4, 2025

Summary

Researchers are exploring microbial biosynthesis using renewable resources like glucose and C1 compounds. Synthetic biology advances can accelerate industrial applications and reduce costs for sustainable chemical production.

Keywords:

C1 compounds Carbon substrate utilization Co-utilization of xylose and glucose Microbial cell factories Synthetic biology

More Related Videos

Bioprospecting of Extremophilic Microorganisms to Address Environmental Pollution

Bioprospecting of Extremophilic Microorganisms to Address Environmental Pollution

Published on: December 30, 2021

Characterizing Mediated Extracellular Electron Transfer in Lactic Acid Bacteria with a Three-Electrode, Two-Chamber Bioelectrochemical System

Characterizing Mediated Extracellular Electron Transfer in Lactic Acid Bacteria with a Three-Electrode, Two-Chamber Bioelectrochemical System

Published on: August 23, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 19, 2025

Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site

Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site

Published on: July 24, 2018

Bioprospecting of Extremophilic Microorganisms to Address Environmental Pollution

Bioprospecting of Extremophilic Microorganisms to Address Environmental Pollution

Published on: December 30, 2021

Characterizing Mediated Extracellular Electron Transfer in Lactic Acid Bacteria with a Three-Electrode, Two-Chamber Bioelectrochemical System

Characterizing Mediated Extracellular Electron Transfer in Lactic Acid Bacteria with a Three-Electrode, Two-Chamber Bioelectrochemical System

Published on: August 23, 2024

Area of Science:

Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology
Metabolic Engineering
Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

Growing concerns over fossil fuel depletion necessitate the development of green and energy-saving alternatives.
Microbial biosynthesis offers a promising route to produce chemicals from renewable carbon sources, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a comprehensive overview of research efforts in utilizing sustainable carbon sources for microbial biosynthesis.
To highlight the role of synthetic biology in overcoming challenges associated with renewable feedstock utilization.
To discuss the integration of advanced computational tools for optimizing microbial strains.

Main Methods:

Review of current research in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology for sustainable chemical production.
Analysis of strategies for utilizing diverse renewable carbon sources (glucose, lignocellulose, C1 compounds).
Exploration of multi-omics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence in guiding strain engineering.

Main Results:

Synthetic biology approaches are accelerating the development of microbial industrial applications.
Significant progress has been made in utilizing various sustainable carbon sources, including challenging ones like lignocellulose and C1 compounds.
Advanced computational tools show potential for enhancing microbial utilization of sustainable feedstocks.

Conclusions:

Microbial biosynthesis using renewable resources is a viable strategy for sustainable chemical production.
Synthetic biology and advanced computational methods are key enablers for industrial-scale application.
Further research and development are needed to reduce costs and improve efficiency in utilizing sustainable carbon sources.