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

US8697421B2 · 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: Sep 13, 2012
• Grant date: Apr 15, 2014
• Expiry date: Sep 13, 2032

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. 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 produce acetyl-CoA, under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce acetyl-CoA.