Squalene strain engineering

Squalene is a natural organic compound that is a precursor to many important biochemicals in living organisms. It is commonly found in plants, animals, and microorganisms. Squalene plays a crucial role in various biological processes and has numerous applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals.

Squalene Biosynthesis Pathway

The biosynthesis of squalene involves a series of enzymatic reactions that occur within living organisms. Starting from simpler molecules, the pathway progresses through several steps, ultimately leading to the production of squalene. Understanding this pathway is crucial for manipulating and optimizing squalene production.

By studying the squalene biosynthesis pathway, we can identify key enzymes and genes involved in the synthesis of squalene. This knowledge allows us to target specific steps or enzymes within the pathway for genetic modification, enhancing the production of squalene in microorganisms. Understanding the biosynthesis pathway also enables us to optimize metabolic pathways and improve the efficiency of squalene production.

Scheme for engineering squalene biosynthesis in S. cerevisiae. (T Li,  et al., 2020)

What is Squalene Strain Engineering?

Squalene strain engineering is a cutting-edge approach that utilizes genetic engineering techniques to enhance the production of squalene in microorganisms. By modifying the genetic makeup of the organisms, we can optimize their metabolic pathways to increase squalene yield and improve overall productivity.

Through genetic engineering, we can introduce genetic modifications into microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeast, to enhance their ability to produce squalene. This involves identifying and genetically modifying key enzymes and genes involved in the biosynthesis pathway of squalene. By manipulating the genetic makeup of these organisms, we can increase their squalene production capacity, leading to higher yields and improved efficiency.

Squalene strain engineering offers a promising solution for the sustainable production of squalene. By harnessing the power of genetic engineering, we can unlock the full potential of microorganisms and optimize their metabolic pathways to meet the growing demand for squalene in various industries.

Technical Roadmap of Squalene Strain Engineering

Our technical roadmap for squalene strain engineering involves several key steps:

1. Identification of key enzymes and genes involved in squalene biosynthesis: Through in-depth research and analysis, we identify the specific enzymes and genes that play crucial roles in the biosynthesis of squalene. This knowledge forms the foundation for further genetic engineering efforts.
2. Genetic modification of microorganisms to enhance squalene production: Using advanced genetic engineering techniques, we modify the genetic makeup of microorganisms to optimize their metabolic pathways for increased squalene production. This may involve introducing new genes, modifying existing genes, or altering regulatory elements to enhance the efficiency of squalene biosynthesis.
3. Optimization of metabolic pathways to improve squalene yield: By fine-tuning the metabolic pathways within the modified microorganisms, we optimize the flow of biochemical reactions to maximize squalene production. This involves careful analysis and adjustment of enzyme activities, substrate availability, and metabolic fluxes.
4. Screening and selection of high-yielding squalene-producing strains: Once the genetic modifications and pathway optimizations are implemented, we screen and select the most promising strains that exhibit high squalene production. This involves rigorous testing and evaluation to ensure that the engineered strains meet the desired yield and quality requirements.
5. Scale-up and fermentation process optimization for large-scale production: To meet industrial-scale production demands, we optimize the fermentation processes and scale up the production of squalene. This includes optimizing culture conditions, nutrient availability, and fermentation parameters to achieve high yields and consistent product quality on a large scale.

Application Areas

Our expertise in squalene strain engineering enables us to serve a wide range of industries and applications, including:

• Pharmaceutical industry: Squalene is a valuable compound with potential therapeutic applications, such as in vaccine adjuvants and drug delivery systems. Our squalene strain engineering solutions can help pharmaceutical companies enhance their production processes and meet the increasing demand for squalene-based pharmaceutical products.
• Cosmetics industry: Squalene is widely used in skincare and cosmetic products due to its moisturizing and antioxidant properties. Our squalene strain engineering services can assist cosmetic companies in improving their production capabilities and developing innovative squalene-based cosmetic formulations.
• Nutraceutical industry: Squalene is considered a beneficial dietary supplement and is used in various health products. With our expertise in squalene strain engineering, we can support nutraceutical companies in optimizing their production processes and developing high-quality squalene-based health supplements.

Contact Us

If you are interested in leveraging the benefits of squalene strain engineering or exploring potential collaborations, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts is ready to assist you in enhancing your squalene production capabilities and meeting the demands of your industry. We look forward to working with you.

Please note that all services are for research use only. Not intended for any clinical use.