technology
Metabolic engineering
Rational reprogramming of microbial metabolic networks using genetic tools (CRISPR, knockouts, overexpression) to overproduce target chemicals from renewable substrates.
Where it's used
Biosynthetic Monomers: Succinate, Itaconate, FDCA & BDO
Bio-based platform chemicals — succinic acid, itaconic acid, FDCA, and 1,4-BDO — produced via precision fermentation from C5/C6 sugars, replacing fossil feedstocks for biopolymers, plastics, and specialty chemicals; $5B market in 2025, growing >15% CAGR to 2030.
Synthetic biology
The engineering of biology — designing DNA, cells and genetic circuits on computers, building them in biofoundries and scaling them into chemicals, materials and ingredients through the Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle.