Metabolic Engineering: Methodologies and Applications
Michael Volk, Vinh Tran, Shih‐I Tan, Shekhar Mishra, Zia Fatma, Aashutosh Girish Boob, Hongxiang Li, Pu Xue, Teresa A. Martin, Huimin Zhao
Abstract
Metabolic engineering aims to improve the production of economically valuable molecules through the genetic manipulation of microbial metabolism. While the discipline is a little over 30 years old, advancements in metabolic engineering have given way to industrial-level molecule production benefitting multiple industries such as chemical, agriculture, food, pharmaceutical, and energy industries. This review describes the design, build, test, and learn steps necessary for leading a successful metabolic engineering campaign. Moreover, we highlight major applications of metabolic engineering, including synthesizing chemicals and fuels, broadening substrate utilization, and improving host robustness with a focus on specific case studies. Finally, we conclude with a discussion on perspectives and future challenges related to metabolic engineering.