(66e) Moving Beyond the Test-Tube: Considerations for Next-Generation Bioproduction

Advances in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology are leading to a rapid transformation of the chemical palette available in cells, thus making it conceivable to produce nearly any organic molecule of interest—from biofuels to biopolymers to pharmaceuticals. However, the vast majority of these examples are academic in nature and fail to become industrially viable processes. The next generation of bioprocessing must address the major limitations that prevent this translation. This talk will highlight the importance of strain engineering, process considerations, and accurate accounting of yields, especially as they relate to utilizing non-conventional carbon sources and selecting the most appropriate host organism for a given process. Finally, considerations for non-standard microbial preservation, cultivation, and production will be discussed as it relates to portable, resource-limited bioproduction. Through these considerations, it will be possible to achieve cheaper as well as more versatile/agile bioprocesses for small and large-scale applications.