Focus and Insights into the Synthetic Biology-Mediated Chassis of Economically Important Fungi for the Production of High-Value Metabolites

• Published in: Microorganisms (Basel) 2023-04, Vol.11 (5), p.1141
• Main Authors: Tiwari, Pragya, Dufossé, Laurent
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Biology; Biosynthesis; Biotechnology; Cancer therapies; Chronic illnesses; Computer Science; Consumption; CRISPR-Cas; Economic aspects; Economic importance; Economics; Engineering; Enzymes; Food additives; Food dyes; Food industry; Food products; functional food; Functional foods & nutraceuticals; fungal chassis; Fungi; genome editing; Industrial microorganisms; Ingredients; Life Sciences; Lipids; Metabolism; Metabolites; Microbial genetic engineering; Microbiological research; Microorganisms; Mushrooms; Nanoparticles; Pigments; Plant diseases; Probiotics; Production processes; Proteins; Review; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Socioeconomics; Strains (organisms); Synthetic biology; Yeast; β-lactam antibiotics
• ISSN: 2076-2607; 2076-2607
• DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051141

Substantial progress has been achieved and knowledge gaps addressed in synthetic biology-mediated engineering of biological organisms to produce high-value metabolites. Bio-based products from fungi are extensively explored in the present era, attributed to their emerging importance in the industrial sector, healthcare, and food applications. The edible group of fungi and multiple fungal strains defines attractive biological resources for high-value metabolites comprising food additives, pigments, dyes, industrial chemicals, and antibiotics, including other compounds. In this direction, synthetic biology-mediated genetic chassis of fungal strains to enhance/add value to novel chemical entities of biological origin is opening new avenues in fungal biotechnology. While substantial success has been achieved in the genetic manipulation of economically viable fungi (including ) in the production of metabolites of socio-economic relevance, knowledge gaps/obstacles in fungal biology and engineering need to be remedied for complete exploitation of valuable fungal strains. Herein, the thematic article discusses the novel attributes of bio-based products from fungi and the creation of high-value engineered fungal strains to promote yield, bio-functionality, and value-addition of the metabolites of socio-economic value. Efforts have been made to discuss the existing limitations in fungal chassis and how the advances in synthetic biology provide a plausible solution.