Biomanufacturing Paradigm Shift: From Living Microorganisms to In vitro Biosystems

The largest challenge of biofuels production is the economically viable production with satisfying three manufacturing criteria: high product yield, easy product separation, and fast productivity. Cell-free biosystems for biomanufacturing (CFB2) are the implementation of complicated biological reactions via the in vitro assembly of numerous standardized and exchangeable enzymes or their complexes and/or (biomimetic) cofactors [1]. Compared to microbial fermentation, CFB2 features manufacturing advantages, such as high product yield, fast reaction rate, easy access and control for open systems, tolerance of toxic compounds and broad reaction conditions.

In this talk, I will introduce the concept of this disruptive technology platform, present its three major applications: (i) the highest yield production of hydrogen for C5 and C6 sugars [2], (ii) enzymatic transformation of cellulose to amylose, a value-added co-product [3], and (iii) the generation of electricity via sugar biobattery, as well as develop building blocks -- synthetic metabolons [4] and engineered redox enzymes working on biomimetic cofatcors. In a word, CFB2 could lead to a biomanufacturing paradigm shift, especially in the sustainability revolution pertaining to the energy-water-food nexus [5]. 

References

1.             Rollin JA et al. Green Chem (2013) 15:1708-1719.

2.             Martín et al. Angew Chem Int Ed (2013) 52:4587-4590.

3.             You C et al. PNAS (2013) 110:7182-7187.

4.             You C et al. Angew Chem Int Ed (2012) 51:8787-8790.

5.             Zhang Y-HP. Energy Sci Eng (2013) 1:27-41.