[27] Metabolic Engineering Flashcards
What is Metabolic Engineering (ME)?
A practice of optimizing genetic and regulatory processes within cells to increase the cells’ production of a certain substance.
What is the goal of ME?
To design and engineer the metabolism of microorganisms in order to enhance production of a certain substance.
What kinds of substances does ME target?
Chemicals, fuels, foods, pharmaceuticals, and other materials.
What process does ME typically utilize?
Genetic engineering techniques.
What role does systems biology play in ME?
It provides the data and understanding of metabolic pathways necessary for ME.
How is ME applied in industry?
It’s used to produce industrial chemicals and pharmaceuticals, and to create new biological systems.
What can ME contribute to the environment?
The development of sustainable technologies.
Why is ME important for the production of biofuels?
It can increase the yield and reduce the cost of production.
What is the first step in ME?
Identifying and understanding the metabolic pathway related to the production of the desired substance.
What is a metabolic pathway?
A series of chemical reactions occurring within a cell.
What is the role of enzymes in metabolic pathways?
They act as catalysts for the chemical reactions.
What kind of microorganisms are typically used in ME?
Bacteria, yeast, and fungi.
What is a significant challenge in ME?
The complexity of metabolic networks and unintended effects of genetic modifications.
How does genetic modification work in ME?
Genes that code for specific enzymes in the metabolic pathway are inserted, deleted or altered.
Why are multi-enzyme systems important in ME?
They can increase the rate of production of the desired substance.
