Application of Synthetic Biology in Chemicals Industry

For more than a century the ability of microorganisms to perform unique and complex chemical reactions has been employed in a variety of industrial production processes. Now, with increasing concerns about environmental protection and limited sources of petroleum, as the major source of chemicals production, special attention is given to synthetic biology strategies. Sophisticated approaches and tools generated by synthetic biology is fast moving the chemicals industry to an era of endless possibilities. The unique advantages offered by synthetic biology not only help with seeking sustainable solutions to problems associated with traditional methods of chemicals production, but also provide novel and superior chemicals that are more in harmony with the health of humans, animals and the environment.

• How does synthetic biology help with the production of chemicals?

  Synthetic biology is helping the industrial production of chemicals in two fronts:

  • Engineering biosynthetic pathways and enzymes to increase the yield or quality of existing chemicals and to generate novel bio-based products;
  • Engineering host organisms as "cell factories" in form of strain improvement of organisms that are innately capable of generating a specific product, or strain development through importing useful genes to host organisms that can render them capable of producing a desired chemical.
• What is the advantage of applying synthetic biology in the production of chemicals?

  Compared to traditional approaches used in the production of chemicals, synthetic biology strategies provide the following advantages:

  • Improving the production process towards higher yield, titer and quality;
  • Enabling the production of novel products that are biodegradable, less toxic and have superior properties;
  • Offering savings in time and money through increasing access to renewable and more affordable sources of feedstock, as well as streamlining and optimizing the production process;
  • Reducing the carbon footprint through adopting environmentally-friendly processes and use of natural or waste feedstocks.
• What are prime examples of chemicals produced through synthetic biology?
  • Production of farnesene, a long-chain branched hydrocarbon molecule, generated by an engineered yeast cultured on sugarcane that can be used in surfactants and lubricants
  • Production of lactic acid and succinic acid from engineered enzymes in yeast with tolerance to low pH levels that can be used in cosmetics
  • Production of fatty acid products that are not produced in nature, such as branched chain, odd chain, or with specific functionality that can be used in developing cleaners, lubricants and oil field chemicals
  • Production of short chain fatty acids with high chain length specificity, such as capric acid, from engineered microorganism instead of plant sources with limited availability and higher cost