Model-driven optimization of bio-polymers using methane and co-substrates
Metabolic engineering of methanotrophic bacteria for sustainable production of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymers. The technology uses methane and co-substrates to produce complex polymer blends with tunable properties for food packaging and wrap applications, offering improved tensile strength and elasticity.
Overview
This research program focuses on metabolic engineering of methanotrophic bacteria to produce polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymers from methane and co-substrates. The resulting polymers contain blends of hydroxybutyrate (HB), hydroxyvalerate (HV), and hydroxyoctanoate (HO) monomers, offering improved tensile strength, elasticity, and thin-film forming properties suitable for food packaging and meal wrap applications.
The technology leverages a novel methanotrophic isolate that naturally synthesizes complex PHA blends under wild-type conditions, eliminating the need for extensive genetic modification. By combining optimized culture conditions with targeted metabolic engineering, the platform aims to become a prime producer of sustainable packing bio-polymers, offering an alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics.
Technical specifications
Key capabilities:
- Production of six distinct PHA monomers: 3HB, 3HV, 4HV, 4-hydroxyheptanoate (4HH), 3HO, and 4HO
- Competitive bacterial growth rates using methanol as carbon source
- PHA content yields of 0.82 (CH4-citrate) and 0.68 (CH4-propionate) in closed flask conditions
- Bioreactor production achieving 143 mg/L PHA concentration with 55:35:10 HB:HV:HO ratio and yield of 0.88
- Tunable polymer blends through co-substrate combinations
- Genome-sequenced isolate with established core metabolic model
Research approach:
- Genome-scale metabolic model development for systems-level analysis
- High-throughput data generation for model validation
- Identification and testing of new culture conditions for optimized growth and PHA production
- Characterization of biodegradability, tensile strength, and elasticity of resulting polymers
- Collaboration with Dr. Youngkwang Lee's laboratory at SDSU for polymer analysis
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at laboratory validation stage (TRL 3-4). The methanotrophic isolate has been demonstrated to produce complex PHA blends in both flask and bioreactor conditions. The genome has been sequenced and a core metabolic model has been created. Future work over a one-year period will focus on developing a genome-scale metabolic model, identifying metabolic bottlenecks, testing new culture conditions, and fully characterizing polymer properties including biodegradability and mechanical performance.
About San Diego State University
San Diego State University is a comprehensive public research university in San Diego serving a large, diverse student body with an applied, partnership-focused research culture. The growing Mission Valley innovation district enables co-location of corporate partners with faculty labs, while the university’s binational position links companies to the San Diego–Tijuana corridor and regional talent. An affiliated research foundation streamlines contracting and compliance for industry-sponsored work, and campus incubator programs support entrepreneurship. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. Department of Defense. A dedicated technology transfer office provides IP management, licensing, and startup support.
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