Methods and organisms for utilizing synthesis gas or other gaseous carbon sources and methanol

US8323950B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Genomatica, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Mark J. Burk · Cambridge, GB
• Christophe H. Schilling · San Diego, US
• Anthony P. Burgard · Bellefonte, US
• John D. Trawick · San Diego, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 12, 2011
• Grant date: Dec 4, 2012
• Expiry date: May 12, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E50/30
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having an acetyl-CoA pathway and the capability of utilizing syngas or syngas and methanol. In one embodiment, the invention provides a non-naturally occurring microorganism, comprising one or more exogenous proteins conferring to the microorganism a pathway to convert CO, CO2 and/or H2 to acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), methyl tetrahydrofolate (methyl-THF) or other desired products, wherein the microorganism lacks the ability to convert CO or CO2 and H2 to acetyl-CoA or methyl-THF in the absence of the one or more exogenous proteins. For example, the microbial organism can contain at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme or protein in an acetyl-CoA pathway. The microbial organism is capable of utilizing synthesis gases comprising CO, CO2 and/or H2, alone or in combination with methanol, to produce acetyl-CoA. The invention additionally provides a method for producing acetyl-CoA, for example, by culturing an acetyl-CoA producing microbial organism, where the microbial organism expresses at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an acetyl-CoA pathway enzyme or protein in a sufficient amount to produ…