Abstract
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic microorganisms
using solar energy, H2O, and CO2 as the primary inputs.
Compared to plants and eukaryotic microalgae, cyanobacteria
are easier to be genetically engineered and possess higher
growth rate. Extensive genomic information and wellestablished genetic platform make cyanobacteria good candidates to build efficient biosynthetic pathways for biofuels and
chemicals by genetic engineering. Hydrocarbons are a family
of compounds consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon.
Structural diversity of the hydrocarbon family is enabled by
variation in chain length, degree of saturation, and rearrangements of the carbon skeleton. The diversified hydrocarbons
can be used as valuable chemicals in the field of food, fuels,
pharmaceuticals, nutrition, and cosmetics. Hydrocarbon biosynthesis is ubiquitous in bacteria, yeasts, fungi, plants, and
insects. A wide variety of pathways for the hydrocarbon biosynthesis have been identified in recent years.
Cyanobacteria may be superior chassis for hydrocabon production in a photosynthetic manner. A diversity of hydrocarbons including ethylene, alkanes, alkenes, and terpenes can be
produced by cyanobacteria. Metabolic engineering and synthetic biology strategies can be employed to improve hydrocarbon production in cyanobacteria. This review mainly summarizes versatility and perspectives of hydrocarbon production in cyanobacteria.
using solar energy, H2O, and CO2 as the primary inputs.
Compared to plants and eukaryotic microalgae, cyanobacteria
are easier to be genetically engineered and possess higher
growth rate. Extensive genomic information and wellestablished genetic platform make cyanobacteria good candidates to build efficient biosynthetic pathways for biofuels and
chemicals by genetic engineering. Hydrocarbons are a family
of compounds consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon.
Structural diversity of the hydrocarbon family is enabled by
variation in chain length, degree of saturation, and rearrangements of the carbon skeleton. The diversified hydrocarbons
can be used as valuable chemicals in the field of food, fuels,
pharmaceuticals, nutrition, and cosmetics. Hydrocarbon biosynthesis is ubiquitous in bacteria, yeasts, fungi, plants, and
insects. A wide variety of pathways for the hydrocarbon biosynthesis have been identified in recent years.
Cyanobacteria may be superior chassis for hydrocabon production in a photosynthetic manner. A diversity of hydrocarbons including ethylene, alkanes, alkenes, and terpenes can be
produced by cyanobacteria. Metabolic engineering and synthetic biology strategies can be employed to improve hydrocarbon production in cyanobacteria. This review mainly summarizes versatility and perspectives of hydrocarbon production in cyanobacteria.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 905-919 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology |
| Volume | 101 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |