Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the production and market potential of bio-based 1,4-butanediol (BDO), highlighting the shift towards sustainable chemical production methods in response to environmental concerns and regulatory pressures. Group 1: Bio-based BDO Production - Cargill and HELM AG's joint venture Qore has officially launched the production of bio-based BDO using locally grown dent corn, with a total investment of $300 million, aiming for an annual production capacity of 66,000 tons [3] - BDO is a crucial organic chemical and fine chemical raw material with extensive downstream applications across various industries, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, and biodegradable plastics [4] - The production of bio-based BDO is primarily achieved through fermentation processes, with Qore utilizing a proprietary one-step fermentation technology developed by Genomatica [8] Group 2: Industry Developments and Collaborations - LYCRA plans to use QIRA to enhance the sustainability of its fibers, potentially reducing its carbon footprint by up to 44% [5] - BASF has entered a long-term supply agreement with Qore to incorporate QIRA into its product portfolio, aiming for sustainable chemical production [5] - Several companies are investing in bio-based BDO production, including the Korean company Xinying Group, which plans to build a $1 billion facility in Vietnam, and Jinfa Technology, which has launched a 10,000-ton bio-based BDO project in Liaoning [9][10] Group 3: Market Trends and Future Outlook - The traditional BDO production methods face challenges due to high carbon emissions, necessitating the development of greener, low-carbon production processes [7] - Despite the current higher costs of bio-based BDO compared to petroleum-based BDO, its competitive advantage is expected to grow as oil prices remain high and production technologies improve [12] - The upcoming SynBioCon 2025 conference will focus on the development and industrial collaboration of key products that can replace petrochemical raw materials, indicating a strong industry shift towards sustainable practices [13]

Core Viewpoint - All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a key active derivative of vitamin A with extensive clinical application value, but mainstream manufacturers like BASF and DSM still rely on traditional chemical synthesis methods, which pose environmental challenges and do not meet green chemistry requirements [1][3]. Group 1: Research Breakthroughs - The team from the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, achieved a breakthrough by engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce ATRA at a fermentation yield of 1.84 g/L, providing a green solution for constructing a self-controlled vitamin industry chain [3][8]. - The research utilized a multi-faceted metabolic engineering strategy, optimizing chassis construction, module selection, cellular factory upgrades, and fermentation processes to achieve this yield [8]. Group 2: Metabolic Engineering Strategy - The initial focus was on creating a high-yield chassis for β-carotene, the precursor for ATRA, by screening genes from Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous, leading to the construction of the Car09 strain with a β-carotene yield of 129.4 mg/L [5][6]. - The best combination for ATRA synthesis was identified as a β-carotene dioxygenase from marine bacteria and mouse retinaldehyde dehydrogenase, achieving 98.1 mg/L ATRA, although significant residual β-carotene indicated limitations in synthesis [6][7]. Group 3: Industrial Adaptation and Optimization - Four-dimensional collaborative modifications were implemented to address efficiency bottlenecks, including overexpressing transcription factors to enhance endoplasmic reticulum activity, balancing NADPH/NAD⁺ levels, and improving substrate supply, resulting in a 49.2% increase in ATRA yield [7][8]. - The development of a two-phase extraction fermentation process, combining glucose growth with ethanol and galactose induction, led to the successful production of ATRA at 1.84 g/L in a 5L fermenter [8]. Group 4: Industry Conference - The SynBioCon 2025 conference, scheduled for August 20-22 in Ningbo, will focus on the intersection of AI and biological manufacturing, exploring trends in green chemistry, new materials, future food, agriculture, and cosmetic ingredients [10][12].

Group 1 - The article introduces the "Green Bio-Manufacturing" National Key Laboratory, established by Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Tsinghua University, and Dabeinong Group, focusing on producing liquid fuels and important chemicals from non-food biomass resources to support the reduction of fossil resources and CO2 emissions [1][3]. - The laboratory is led by Professor Tan Tianwei, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, who has a distinguished background in education and research, having trained over 100 graduate students [1][5]. - The research team includes a diverse group of experts, such as 1 academician, 6 distinguished young scholars, and 30 professors, with established verification bases and industrial connections [5]. Group 2 - The laboratory is recruiting several postdoctoral researchers to work on synthetic biology, enzyme catalysis, fermentation engineering, and chemical simulation, with responsibilities including laboratory management [6]. - Candidates should have a PhD in relevant fields, with a maximum of 3 years since obtaining their degree, and must demonstrate independent research capabilities and teamwork spirit [6][7]. - The compensation for postdoctoral positions follows the university's standards, with salaries ranging from 180,000 to 250,000 CNY per year, and additional benefits such as housing support for certain scholars [6]. Group 3 - The Syn BioCon 2025 conference will be held from August 20-22 in Ningbo, Zhejiang, focusing on opportunities in bio-manufacturing for the bio-chemical and new materials industries [9]. - The conference will cover five key areas: AI + bio-manufacturing, green chemistry and new materials, future food, future agriculture, and beauty raw materials, aiming to explore trends and innovations in the bio-manufacturing industry [9][12]. - Participants from various sectors, including industry leaders, experts, and government representatives, are invited to discuss the future of bio-manufacturing and promote the scaling and transfer of technological achievements [9].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of green biosynthesis of aromatic compounds for sustainable development, addressing the limitations of traditional production methods that are resource-intensive and environmentally harmful [1]. Group 1: Green Biosynthesis of Aromatic Compounds - Aromatic compounds are crucial in various industries such as materials, food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, but traditional production methods face sustainability and pollution issues [1]. - The development of efficient cell factories is identified as a key factor in overcoming challenges such as low yield, poor cell tolerance, and low production intensity in the biosynthesis of aromatic chemicals [1]. Group 2: Research and Development Achievements - Professor Yuan Qipeng's team at Beijing University of Chemical Technology has constructed advanced cell factories for synthesizing over twenty important aromatic compounds, surpassing natural theoretical yields [1]. - Strategies to enhance the synthesis capabilities of compounds like arbutin and ferulic acid have been proposed, significantly improving their production efficiency [1]. - The establishment of industrial production lines for compounds such as arbutin and 5-hydroxytryptophan demonstrates the potential of synthetic biology in green biosynthesis [1]. Group 3: Upcoming Conference - The SynBioCon 2025 conference will be held from August 20-22 in Ningbo, focusing on the future of food and agriculture, where Professor Yuan will present on the construction of efficient cell factories for aromatic compound production [2][4]. - The conference aims to explore trends in biomanufacturing, innovative technologies, and products that can sustain the industry's vitality, involving various stakeholders including industry leaders and experts [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the advancements in green bio-manufacturing, particularly focusing on the synthesis of aliphatic short-chain diamines and diols from renewable resources, highlighting the importance of reducing reliance on fossil resources and addressing environmental concerns [3][4][5]. Group 1: Importance of Green Bio-Manufacturing - The chemical industry is a significant part of the national economy, with over 100,000 types of fine chemical products globally. Traditional production methods heavily rely on fossil resources, leading to resource depletion and CO2 emissions [4]. - Transitioning to renewable resources for bio-manufacturing is crucial for achieving a clean, low-carbon, and sustainable environment. China has set goals to replace traditional chemical raw materials with bio-based materials [4][5]. Group 2: Advances in Bio-Synthesis - Significant progress has been made in the bio-synthesis of 1,3-propanediamine, 1,4-butanediamine, and their corresponding diols, with commercial applications already realized by companies like DuPont and Genomatica, achieving cost reductions of 37% and energy savings of 30% compared to petrochemical processes [5][6]. - Companies such as Ningxia Yipin Biotechnology and Shanghai Kaisi Bio-Industry have successfully scaled up the production of 1,5-pentanediamine using whole-cell catalysis, claiming a 30% cost reduction compared to traditional methods [5][6]. Group 3: Challenges in Bio-Synthesis - Despite advancements, challenges remain in the bio-synthesis of most diamines and diols, including high production costs and the lack of natural biosynthetic pathways for certain compounds [6][7]. - Research is focused on developing bio-synthesis routes using non-food biomass and one-carbon feedstocks to reduce fossil resource dependence and CO2 emissions [6][7]. Group 4: Metabolic Pathways and Carbon Cycling - The article outlines the carbon cycling and metabolic pathways involved in utilizing renewable resources for bio-manufacturing, emphasizing the role of biomass derived from agriculture, forestry, and waste [8][9]. - Various metabolic pathways for sugars derived from lignocellulosic biomass have been identified, which can be utilized for synthesizing short-chain diamines and diols [11][13]. Group 5: Synthesis Routes for Specific Compounds - Detailed synthesis routes for 1,3-propanediamine and 1,3-propanediol are discussed, highlighting the use of key amino acid precursors and various microbial pathways [20][21]. - The synthesis of 1,4-butanediamine and 1,4-butanediol involves multiple pathways, including those utilizing ornithine and arginine, with significant advancements in microbial engineering to enhance yields [23][24]. - The article also covers the synthesis routes for 1,5-pentanediamine and 1,5-pentanediol, focusing on the use of lysine as a precursor and the challenges in achieving high yields [25][26].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the upcoming "Youth Forum on Biomanufacturing" scheduled for August 20 in Ningbo, Zhejiang, as part of the SynBioCon 2025 event, aimed at promoting innovation and collaboration in the field of synthetic biology and biomanufacturing [2][3]. Group 1: Event Details - The "Youth Forum on Biomanufacturing" will focus on addressing scientific issues, solutions, achievements, scalability, and future directions in the research field [3]. - The event will take place on August 20, 2025, with limited seating available (only 30 seats) [6]. - Participants can choose to register for either the Youth Forum or the Technology Achievement Showcase [6]. Group 2: Participation and Contributions - The event encourages universities and research institutions to apply for sharing their innovative achievements [4]. - SynBioCon 2025 will also feature a "Technology Achievement Showcase" to publicly collect 100 innovative achievements and projects in the field of synthetic biology and biomanufacturing for on-site display and networking [6]. Group 3: Organizers and Previous Events - The event is organized by Ningbo Detaizhongyan Information Technology Co., Ltd. (DT New Materials) and co-organized by Ningbo Meisai Biological Engineering Co., Ltd. [11]. - Previous editions of the SynBioCon were successfully held in 2022, 2023, and 2024 in Ningbo, showcasing the growing interest and development in the field [13].

SynBioCon 大会 | 生物制造青年论坛 特色专场 生物制造青年论坛 8月20日，浙江·宁波 02 科技成果展示与对接专场 （同期活动） SynBioCon 2025 将设置 「科技成果展示与对接」专场 （现场展示科技成果推介墙）， 公开征集100个从0—1—100的合成生物和生物制造领域创新成果 和项目 ，于现场展示、对接。 生物制造领域有哪些 "潜力股" 团队、技术和产品值 得关注？ 为发掘合成生物学和生物制造科研团队创新成果、 促进生物制造领域优秀科研工作者成果交流和产业方对接， 第四届合成生物与绿色生物制造大会 (简称： SynBioCon 2025 ) 同期将举办特色专场——" 生物制造青年论坛 "，于8月20日在浙江宁波举办。 助力行业 15分钟了解一个方向 ，重点阐述研究领域存在的科学问题、解决思路、成果、放大可行性以及未来发展方向。 欢迎高校、科研院所申报分享！ 扫码报名，请选择参会形式 报名请选择：青年论坛、科技成果展示 SynBioCon 2 025 8月20-22日，浙江·宁波 01 论坛信息 时 间： 8月20日（周三） 席 位 ： 仅 30 席！ 报告时间： 第一场：13:30 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the innovative approach of Yike Biotech in reducing the cost of PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates) production to compete with petroleum-based materials, emphasizing the use of non-food plant oils as raw materials [3][4][9]. Group 1: Industry Background - The biodegradable materials market, including PLA and PBAT, has faced challenges such as overcapacity and performance limitations, leading to a decline in production rates [6][7]. - PHA is highlighted for its advantages, including marine biodegradability, heat resistance up to 100°C, and excellent barrier properties, with the global market expected to reach $367 million by 2030 [6][8]. Group 2: Company Overview - Yike Biotech was founded in June 2025 by Dr. Wilson Ling, who aims to revolutionize PHA production using non-food oils, specifically Pongamia oil, to significantly lower costs [9][10]. - The company has completed laboratory and pilot-scale validations of its production process and is the first globally to hold a PCT patent for PHA production [37]. Group 3: Cost Reduction Strategy - The raw material cost constitutes over 50% of PHA production costs, making it essential to lower these costs. Traditional sugar-based routes have a conversion rate of only 30%, leading to high costs [27][28]. - By using Pongamia oil, which has a conversion rate of over 80%, Yike Biotech can reduce PHA production costs by 30-50% compared to sugar-based methods [36]. Group 4: Technical and Market Development - Yike Biotech plans to focus on medical products for the Australian market, where demand is high, and the approval process is faster compared to other regions [38]. - The company aims to establish a production line in China that can replace 15,000 to 20,000 tons of petroleum-based plastics annually, with plans for further expansion [39].

Core Viewpoint - Vitamin A is essential for human health, supporting vision, immune regulation, and serving as a key ingredient in anti-aging cosmetics. Traditional chemical synthesis methods for Vitamin A are complex and costly, leading to a shift towards green biomanufacturing using synthetic biology techniques [1][6]. Group 1: Research Findings - A recent study by Zhejiang University has engineered yeast to enhance Vitamin A production by modifying transporter systems, energy metabolism, and precursor supply networks, achieving unprecedented yields [1][6]. - The hydrophobic nature of Vitamin A leads to accumulation within cells, increasing metabolic burden and affecting synthesis efficiency. Approximately 17-20% of retinol remains unextracted during high-density fermentation, limiting production [2]. - The research team introduced transporter engineering strategies, identifying key transport proteins that facilitate the synthesis and secretion of retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid [2]. Group 2: Engineering Strategies - The team optimized the yeast's energy metabolism by overexpressing FZO1 and MGM1 to enhance mitochondrial fusion and introducing Vgb to improve oxygen uptake, thereby increasing ATP levels and energy supply [3]. - A multi-faceted engineering approach, combining transporter engineering, energy metabolism enhancement, and precursor supply optimization, led to significant breakthroughs in yeast strains for Vitamin A production [3][4]. Group 3: Production Results - Post-engineering, the yeast strain achieved a retinal yield of 638.12 mg/L with an extracellular ratio of 98.7%, and a retinoic acid yield of 106.75 mg/L, both representing the highest reported shake flask yields to date [4]. - The engineered yeast strain produced 727.30 mg/L of retinol with a carbon conversion rate of 7.62% using 20 g/L glucose, surpassing previous best strains [4]. Group 4: Implications for Industry - This research provides new insights for the efficient biomanufacturing of Vitamin A and serves as a reference for the green production of other high-value lipophilic products [6]. - As synthetic biology technologies advance, microbial cell factories are expected to play a crucial role in future biomanufacturing, contributing to human health and sustainable development [6].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the innovative approach of Ecopha Biotech, founded by Dr. Wilson Ling, to significantly reduce the cost of PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates) production by utilizing non-food plant oils, specifically Pongamia oil, as a raw material, aiming to compete with traditional petroleum-based plastics [2][9][31]. Group 1: Industry Background - The biodegradable materials market, including PLA and PBAT, has faced challenges such as oversupply and performance limitations, leading to a decline in production rates [6][7]. - PHA stands out due to its advantages like "biomanufacturing," "marine biodegradability," and high thermal resistance (up to 100°C), with the global market expected to reach $367 million by 2030 [6][9]. - The current cost of PHA exceeds 40,000 yuan per ton, making it difficult to compete with petroleum-based plastics priced below 10,000 yuan per ton [7][9]. Group 2: Company Background - Ecopha Biotech was established in June 2025, with Dr. Wilson Ling returning to China after years of research and entrepreneurship abroad, driven by the desire to overcome the cost barriers of PHA production [9][19]. - The company aims to leverage a patented strain of bacteria and non-food oils to achieve a significant reduction in production costs [9][22]. Group 3: Raw Material Cost Reduction - The primary focus for cost reduction is on raw materials, which account for over 50% of PHA production costs. Traditional sugar-based routes have a conversion rate capped at 30%, leading to high costs [22][23]. - Dr. Ling's research determined that using plant oils, particularly Pongamia oil, could achieve a conversion rate of over 80%, significantly lowering production costs [22][31]. - Pongamia oil is non-food, cost-effective (half the price of palm oil), and has a high yield, making it suitable for sustainable production [25][30][31]. Group 4: Technological Advancements - Ecopha Biotech has completed laboratory and pilot-scale validations for using Pongamia oil and has designed a process package for a large-scale production line [32]. - The company plans to focus on medical products initially, targeting the Australian market, where there is a high demand for biodegradable medical supplies [33]. - The first production line in China is expected to replace 15,000 to 20,000 tons of petroleum-based plastics annually once operational [33]. Group 5: Future Outlook - Dr. Ling envisions that the real competition for PHA is not other bioplastics but the vast quantities of petroleum-based plastics that contribute to environmental pollution [34]. - The company aims to collaborate with domestic peers to promote the large-scale industrialization of PHA, potentially alleviating plastic pollution issues as production scales up [34].