Metabolic engineering of microorganisms for tailor-made biopolymer production: A review

Growing environmental concerns and the short lifespan of synthetic polymers have intensified the search for sustainable, biodegradable alternatives. Microbially produced biopolymers, such as bacterial cellulose, hyaluronic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and poly-γ-glutamic acid, have gained attention due to their biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and renewability. This review highlights recent advances in metabolic engineering aimed at improving the yield, quality, and functionality of these biopolymers. Key strategies include genetic modifications (e.g., gene overexpression, gene deletion, CRISPR-Cas9) and systems biology tools (e.g., proteomics, genomics, synthetic biology). These approaches enable the development of optimized materials for food, medical, and industrial applications. The review also addresses important factors such as molecular weight control, scalability, biocompatibility, and eco-friendly degradation. By comparing natural and engineered microbial platforms, we provide insights into their advantages and limitations. This work underscores the crucial role of microbial metabolic engineering in advancing next-generation biopolymers, supporting both industrial innovation and global sustainability goals.