Boosts the Intracellular ATP Supply Threshold in Microbial Factories for Unmatched Yield of Bioactive Compounds
This recombinant E. coli integrates a redesigned electron transport chain (ETC), increasing energy conservation efficiency to maximize ATP generation. Synthetic biology (SynBio) has rapidly evolved into a distinct discipline, demonstrating an impressive potential through the engineered production of medically important compounds. However, turning SynBio into a broadly reliable platform for natural product manufacturing remains challenging due to the metabolic burden placed on host cells. This burden often leads to poor yields or a complete production failure. It is critical to address the energy and resource constraints to make SynBio a scalable solution for natural product or other chemical synthesis.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a microbial platform by engineering E. coli with a mitochondrial-type synthetic electron transport chain (ETC), surpassing the energy conservation threshold in the native system. The result is an electron transport chain that pumps more protons per electron transferred, raising the maximum ATP yield. With its ability to break through the natural energy ceiling of microbial hosts, this technology enables the efficient production of energy-intensive compounds at an industrial scale, which was previously unattainable with conventional chassis.
Application
A next-generation E. coli chassis for industrial-scale, energy-demanding ATP generation, delivering higher yields than conventional microbial systems
Advantages
- Delivers up to a 56% increase in steady-state ATP yield, supporting higher biosynthetic output
- Maintains robust cell growth and health under high biosynthetic load
- Adaptable to a wide range of bioactive natural products and fermentation processes
- Reduces substrate consumption costs and environmental footprints, providing a scalable, stable platform for industrial biomanufacturing
Technology
This technology introduces a new approach for natural product manufacturing: a recombinant E. coli strain with a redesigned electron transport chain (ETC), purpose-built to maximize ATP generation and support energy-intensive biosynthetic pathways. It centers on integrating a mitochondrial-type ETC directly into the E. coli chromosome to maximize energy supply. The platform is refined through in vivo evolution, optimizing electron transfer and cell growth. The result is an ETC pumping more protons per electron transferred—raising the maximum ATP yield.By fundamentally redesigning the cell’s energy infrastructure, this E. coli chassis sets a new benchmark for the field of synthetic biology and microbial manufacturing.
Brochure
