Systems Metabolic Engineering of Microorganisms for the Production of Polymers and Monomers

Due to our increasing concerns on environmental problems, there has recently been much interest in developing bio-based processes for the production of chemicals, fuels and materials from renewable non-food biomass. Polymers derived from fossil resources through chemical processes are important materials being used in industries and our everyday life, and thus are used in large amounts. In this lecture, systems metabolic engineering strategies employed for the production of various polyesters will be reported. Also, metabolic engineering strategies employed for the production of chemicals that are used as monomers of polymers of industrial importance will be reported. The example products will include natural and non-natural polyesters, diacids, diamines, and others. [This work was supported by the Technology Development Program to Solve Climate Changes on Systems Metabolic Engineering for Biorefineries of Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning.]