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Figure 1.2 Metabolic network of biofuel production pathways and intermediates for the
conversion of feedstocks to fuels (bold text): current biofuels ( ), higher chain alcohols ( ),
lignocellulosic fermentation ( ), and fatty acid derivatives ( ). Engineering the desired
biofuel pathway requires maximizing flux through the relevant nodes while minimizing
metabolite flux to competing branches. This can involve tuning expression of intermediate
reaction steps, deletion of competing pathways, or manipulation of distal enzymatic or
regulatory targets.
METABOLIC ENGINEERING ENABLES BIOFUELS
DEVELOPMENT
In the following section, we will review various researches that attempt to address these
biofuel challenges and how metabolic engineering is central to enabling these technologies. A
schematic of relevant metabolic pathways for biofuels production can be found in Figure 1.2.
Production of Higher Chain Alcohols
