Oxygen-free biosynthesis in microbial cell factories

Microbial cell factories can make complex chemicals in a sustainable way, but are limited to chemistry compatible with the life processes of the host cell. The energy metabolism of most micro-organisms require abundant oxygen, but oxygen also interferes with many biosynthesis pathways. Nature has evolved local oxygen-free environments to accommodate e.g. nitrogen-fixation. I propose to engineer an oxygen-free organelle into micro-organism that can house oxygen-sensitive biosynthetic processes. The organelle will consist of self-assembled proteins that recruit oxygen-consuming enzymes. I hypothesize that the highly concentrated oxygen consumption depletes oxygen locally, while it remains abundant in the rest of the cell. Oxygen-free cell factories will reduce the environmental impact of chemical manufacturing and broaden our repertoire of available natural compounds.