Metabolic Pathway Engineering in Cyanobacteria: A Case Study of Enhanced Biofuel Production via Synthetic Biology Approaches

Abstract

Cyanobacteria have emerged as promising platforms for sustainable biofuel production due to their ability to convert CO2 into organic compounds. This study investigates the metabolic pathway engineering of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to enhance biofuel output through synthetic biology techniques. Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, we targeted key enzymes in the fatty acid synthesis pathway, followed by fermentation assessments of engineered strains. Our findings reveal a 57% increase in biofuel yield compared to unmodified strains, highlighting the efficacy of targeted metabolic modifications. This research underscores the potential of tailored synthetic biology approaches in optimizing cyanobacterial biofuels, offering insights for future industrial applications.