FURI | Fall 2019

Metabolic Engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum for the Conversion of Biomass Derived Aromatics to Chrysin

The objective of the research project is to recombine the genetic pathway to produce naringenin and pinocembrin in Corynebacterium glutamicum, flavonoids found in plants. To modify the pathway, genes coding for C4H, 4CL, CHS, and CHI enzymes are transformed into bacterium and expressed in a defined order to manipulate the chemical structures to produce the compound. Once the production of flavonoids is confirmed from glucose, it can be tested for production from lignin-derived aromatics. This produce has the potential to produce pharmaceuticals from renewable resources. The process in which this compound is being produced will also be a more sustainable method.