Synthetic Carbon Fixation: Conversion of Heterotrophs into Autotrophs by Calvin-Benson-Bassham Cycle Induction

Synthetic biology has enabled us to artificially convert heterotrophs into autotrophs. Modification of the existing metabolic circuit and induction of enzymes of the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle including phosphoribulokinase (PRK) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) allowed Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris to fix CO2. This heterotroph to autotroph conversion technology will contribute to reductions in energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the bioindustry.