Shocking news has shaken humanity recently. A genetic modification has been made to “help” the planet to absorb pollution. We are witnessing the devastating effects that pollution is having, such as the shocking reality that the Amazon is experiencing or the surprising reaction that dolphins are having.
Against a backdrop of alarm and a quest for progress, researchers at the Max-Planck Institute for Terrestrial Mibrobiology have taken a giant step forward in synthetic biology, a breakthrough towards implementing synthetic CO2 fixation cycles in living cells.
In the face of the climate emergency the planet is experiencing, developing innovative methods to capture and convert carbon dioxide (CO2) is more important than ever.
The experiment consists of a novel cycle for CO2 fixation through the introduction of three modules. In this way, it has succeeded in converting this gas into acetyl-CoA, an essential building block, within E. coli bacteria.
Genetic modification “helps” pollution absorption: you won’t believe it
Synthetic biology proposes a viable solution, providing the design of CO2 fixation routes that exceed the efficiency of natural systems. Hence, the importance of capturing and converting CO2.
The research group led by Tobias Erb has developed the THETHA cycle, a synthetic way to fix CO2. It is a development with significant features such as efficiency and biotechnological potential. Using fast biocatalytic enzymes, this cycle transforms CO2 into acetyl-CoA more efficiently than natural photosynthesis methods.
Acetyl-CoA plays a fundamental role in cellular metabolism. It serves as a precursor for a wide range of biomolecules. The progress of the THETA cycle in the laboratory and its optimization with advanced techniques has led to a significant rise in the manufacture of this valuable material.
Researchers divided the THETA cycle into three modules, achieving successful implementation within E.coli bacteria. This small achievement translates as a breakthrough towards the production of valuable compounds from CO2 with living organisms, verified through isotopic screening and labeling techniques.
Pollution could end “thanks” to genetic modification
Genetic modification has been painted in several films as a mysterious and sometimes obscure practice. However, like any experiment, it presents its challenges and has its own prospects ahead. Despite the successful implementation of individual modules, completing the THETA cycle in E. coli and synchronizing it with its natural metabolism remains a challenge to solve.
But its potential as a platform for generating compounds from CO2 opens up new frontiers in biotechnology. “What is special about this cycle is that it contains several intermediates that serve as central metabolites in the bacterium’s metabolism. This overlap offers the opportunity to develop a modular approach for its implementation,” said Shanshan Luo, lead author of the study.
He highlighted the successful demonstration in which they completed the three individual modules in E. coli, although he acknowledged that closing the entire cycle in vivo is a huge challenge. The task is complicated by the need to synchronize the 17 reactions with the natural metabolism of E. coli, which encompasses hundreds of thousands of reactions.
Despite the hurdles yet to be overcome, Luo still sees the cycle as a viable option that may provide more than one surprise. This research shows the world a novel approach to CO2 fixation and opens the door to potentially transformative applications in the industry, addressing the urgent problem of the global climate crisis. Hand in hand with this experiment come the sustainable solutions that the world has been demanding.
Reports like this one show the delicate situation in which the planet finds itself, but genetic modification comes to alleviate pollution and show us a different path. Will it be able to overcome its obstacles and develop its full potential? A question that can only be answered with study and effort on the part of experts.
