Genetic and global transcription machinery engineering for production of practical polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers from methanol

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24580103
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Applied microbiology
• Research Institution: Tokyo Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: ORITA Izumi 東京工業大学, 生命理工学研究科, 助教 (70525964)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 生分解性プラスチック / メタノール / メタノール資化性菌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), the biodegradable plastics produced by many microorganisms, have attracted interest as the substitute for petroleum-derived plastics. In this study, genetic engineering and global transcription machinery engineering (gTME) approach were employed for the representative methylotrophic bacterium with the aim of constructing microbial strain capable of efficient biosynthesis of practical PHA copolymers from methanol. Recombinant strain which accumulated PHA copolymer with higher second monomer composition was constructed by expression of gene encoding enzyme involved in providing second monomer. A random mutant library of rpoD gene encoding sigma 70 factor was developed for gTME and enabled the screening of strains improved PHA contents on high concentration of methanol.

Free Research Field

応用微生物学