Applications
- Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production of mevalonate
- Fragrance production from syngas or industrial off-gases
Advantages/Benefits
- Increased energy efficiency from utilizing an aerobic host for bioconversion
- Improved facilitation of synthesis of complex molecules
- Versatile usage in various industries, including biofuels and aviation
Background
In recent years, advancements in biofuel production have leveraged genetic engineering to optimize metabolic pathways in microorganisms, presenting new opportunities for sustainable fuel generation. One such method is genetically modifying Hydrogenophaga pseudoflava to convert syngas (a mixture of CO, CO2, H2, and O2) into mevalonate, a key precursor for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other valuable products.
Technology Overview
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have introduced a new biotechnological process that uses an engineered strain of Hydrogenophaga pseudoflava for the conversion of syngas into mevalonate, a vital precursor for sustainable aviation fuel. This engineered strain expresses a three-gene construct — AtoB from E. coli, HMGS from S. cerevisiae, and HMGR from Delftia acidovorans — enabling efficient mevalonate production. Mevalonate yields have been optimized, reaching approximately 140 mg/L on sucrose and 90 mg/L under high cell density conditions (OD600 >40). The bioprocess has been successfully scaled up to 300 mL using an automated gas bioreactor.
Unlike anaerobic systems, this aerobic bioconversion system generates three times more free energy, facilitating the synthesis of complex molecules. With potential applications in producing sustainable aviation fuel, fragrances, and other terpene-based products from syngas or industrial off-gasses, this innovation stands out for its utilization of an aerobic host, which enhances energy production efficiency compared to anaerobic hosts.
Development Stage
Validated in laboratory
Principal Investigator(s)
- Eric Sundsrom
- Sara Tejedor Sanz
- Justin Panich
- Neha Bansal
Status
Patent pending
Opportunities
Available for licensing or collaborative research