Modified microorganisms and uses therefor
View Patent ↗The invention provides a genetically modified microorganism that acquires the ability to consume a renewable feedstock (such as cellulose) and produce products. This organism can be used to ferment cellulose, one of the most abundant renewable resources available, and produce products.
1. A method of producing a fatty alcohol product comprising:
(a) transforming an isolated microorganism with one or more exogenous nucleic acid sequences, wherein the nucleic acid sequences encode (i) a fatty alcohol forming acyl-CoA reductase (EC 1.1.1.*) and (ii) a synthetic cellulosome comprising a xylanase (E.C. 3.2.1.136, 3.2.1.156, 3.2.1.8),
(b) culturing an isolated microorganism in a fermentation broth comprising a cellulosic material carbon source, wherein the microorganism produces the fatty alcohol product; and
(c) collecting the fatty alcohol product.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least 50% of the carbon source in the fermentation broth is in the form of cellulosic material.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least 80% of the carbon source in the fermentation broth is in the form of cellulosic material.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising substantially rupturing the isolated microorganisms in the fermentation broth prior to collecting the fatty alcohol product.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising chemically modifying the fatty alcohol product.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the isolated microorganism is a bacteria.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fermentation broth comprises at least 100 μg/L of fatty alcohol.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least 20% of the fatty alcohol produced comprises carbon chains of from about C8 to about C20.