Search

Abstract: Metabolic engineering is defined as the purposeful modification of intermediary metabolism using recombinant DNA techniques. Cellular engineering, a more inclusive term, is defined as the purposeful modification of cell properties using the same techniques. Examples of cellular and metabolic engineering are divided into five categories:

Abstract: 1,3-Propanediol (1,3-PD) is an intermediate in chemical and polymer synthesis. We have previously expressed the genes of a biochemical pathway responsible for 1,3-PD production, thedha regulon ofKlebsiella pneumoniae, inEscherichia coli. An analysis of the maximum theoretical yield of 1,3-PD from glycerol indicates that the yield can be improved by the cofermentation of sugars, provided that kinetic constraints are overcome. The yield of 1,3-PD from glycerol was improved from 0.46 mol/mol with glycerol alone to 0.63 mol/mol with glucose cofermentation and 0.55 mol/mol with xylose cofermentation. The engineeredE. coli also provides a model system for the study of metabolic pathway engineering.