FURI | Fall 2023, Summer 2023

Accumulation of β-Ketoadipate to Create Biopolymers Using Engineered Corynebacterium Glutamicum

The goal of this research is to determine if β-ketoadipate (βKA), a chemical compound, can be produced from an engineered strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum when fed lignin-derived aromatics. This study attempts to determine the effects on βKA production when the strain is fed varying aromatics and also looks to investigate how metabolism of the strain is also affected. The accumulation of βKA is valuable because when polymerized, it carries similar properties to that of nylon. Overall, the results of this study suggests that the biomanufacturing of βKA from lignin-derived aromatics is a promising approach capable of replacing petrochemical-derived nylons.