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Advancing cyanobacterial production of sustainable chemical feedstocks
Newman, Darrian M.
Newman, Darrian M.
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2021
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Abstract
The temperature on earth is rising. Studies show that the average surface temperature
is already 1°C higher than in pre-industrial times. This rise in temperature is directly
linked to anthropogenic carbon emissions and will only continue to rise if immediate action
is not taken. Work to improve sustainability in our society has already begun, with vast
improvements in solar, wind, geothermal, and other forms of sustainable energy production
being made every day. Fossil fuel dependency is pumping carbon dioxide into our
atmosphere at unsustainable rates, and cyanobacteria present a feasible means to combat
emissions and close the carbon loop for a more sustainable future. Cyanobacteria are
prokaryotic, photosynthetic microorganisms with the capability to produce a wide range of
chemicals, from biofuels to plastics to sugar to rubber, all while utilizing minimal resources.
Only sunlight, trace minerals, unarable land, and sub-optimal water such as ocean water
are needed for growth and production of valuable specialty and commodity chemicals. With
a higher photosynthetic eciency and genetic tractability than plants and no competition
for arable land or fresh water, cyanobacteria have the potential to be pivotal in the ght
against climate change. In this thesis, I characterize the central metabolism of a biofuel
producing strain of cyanobacteria to gain a better understanding of how to manipulate
cyanobacterial metabolism for increased production of not only biofuels but a range of
valuable products. I probe pathways of primary and secondary metabolism using metabolic
engineering techniques in an eort to glean useful information and help demystify the
complex metabolic network of these complex organisms. Additionally I improve and
validate existing tools needed to accelerate the design-build-test-learn cycle and establish
cyanobacteria as a commercially viable sustainable producer of valuable products.
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