Microbes Produce High Yields of Fatty Alcohols from Glucose
- IP Title
- CELLS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING FATTY ALCOHOLS
- Technology Benefits
- Some of the highest yields ever reported using E. coli and glucoseOther organisms such as yeast or Gram-positive bacteria may be used.
- Technology Application
- Production of fatty alcohols for biofuels (e.g., jet fuel) or specialty chemicals
- Detailed Technology Description
- Fatty alcohols are used in detergents, emulsifiers, lubricants and personal care items. More than 1.3 million tons of fatty alcohols are used worldwide each year, representing a $3 billion market. Currently, fatty alcohols are produced either through the processing of natural fats and oils or from petrochemicals. As both routes require biodiesel or petrochemical fuel stocks, microbial production of fatty alcohols from renewable sugars is a promising alternative. To be economically competitive, microorganism-based methods must boost titers and yields.UW–Madison researchers have developed a method to produce fatty alcohols such as 1-dodecanol and 1-tetradecanol from glucose using genetically engineered microorganisms. The organism, e.g., a modified E. coli strain, overexpresses several genes (including FadD and a recombinant thioesterase gene, acyl-CoA synthetase gene and acyl-CoA reductase gene). Other gene products are functionally deleted to maximize performance. The strain is cultured in a bioreactor in the presence of glucose.
- Application Date
- Oct 8, 2014
- Application No.
- 9,708,630
- Others
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WARF reference number P09329US02 describes genetically modified E. coli that are capable of overproducing fatty acid precursors for medium- to long-chain hydrocarbons.
http://www.warf.org/technologies/summary/P09329US02.cmsx
Youngquist J.T., Schumacher M.H., Rose J.P., Raines T.C., Politz M.C., Copeland M.F. and Pfleger B.F. 2013. Production of Medium Chain Length Fatty Alcohols from Glucose in Escherichia coli. Metabolic Engineering. 20, 177-186.
Youngquist J.T., Schumacher M.H., Rose J.P., Raines T.C., Politz M.C., Copeland M.F. and Pfleger B.F. 2013. Production of Medium Chain Length Fatty Alcohols from Glucose in Escherichia coli. Metabolic Engineering. 20, 177-186.
- *Abstract
-
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a method to produce fatty alcohols for biofuel and specialty chemicals using genetically engineered microorganisms.
- *IP Issue Date
- Jul 18, 2017
- *IP Publication Date
- Aug 1, 2018
- *Principal Investigator
-
Name: Brian Pfleger
Department:
Name: J. Tyler Youngquist
Department:
- Country/Region
- USA
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