In Illinois, Northwestern University and Stanford University synthetic biologists have created a new artificial metabolism that transforms waste carbon dioxide (CO2) into useful biological building blocks.
In the new study, the team engineered a biological system that can convert formate — a simple liquid molecule easily made from CO2 — into acetyl-CoA, a universal metabolite used by all living cells. As a proof of concept, the engineers then used the same system to convert acetyl-CoA into malate, a commercially valuable chemical used in foods, cosmetics and biodegradable plastics.
Unlike natural metabolic routes, the new system is entirely synthetic and operates outside of living cells. The engineers built the system, called the Reductive Formate Pathway (ReForm), from engineered enzymes that performed metabolic reactions never before seen in nature.
The work, published in the journal Nature Chemical Engineering, marks a major advance for synthetic biology and carbon recycling, opening the door for developing sustainable, carbon-neutral fuels and materials.
Tags: artificial metabolism, Illinois, Northwestern and Stanford University
Category: Research
