Here we explore purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) and some of its biotech applications, with a focus on how these applications have been enhanced by manipulating the flow of reducing power. Cellular metabolism refers to the sum of chemical reactions that cells use to obtain energy and material to live, grow, and make products. Many of these reactions are performed by specialized proteins called enzymes, which act on a specific substrate, or input, to produce a specific effect or product, also called a metabolite. To make metabolites, you need three major inputs: carbon, energy, and electrons. Depending on the organism, carbon can be fixed from atmospheric CO2, or can be obtained from organic compounds like carbohydrates or lipids. Energy can be generated in a variety of ways, but typically results in the formation of phosphate bonds in molecules like adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for widespread use in the cell.
This content will become publicly available on March 20, 2025
Jungwoo Lee, High-School Student, and Arpita Bose, Associate Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, guide us through purple bacteria and their less-known applications, including wastewater treatment and biofertilization. Purple bacteria, also known as purple photosynthetic bacteria, which belong to the phylum Proteobacteria, can be classified into purple sulfur bacteria (PSB) and purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB). In contrast to PSB, PNSB demonstrate the ability to utilize various electron donors and acceptors, which further expands their applications. Their adaptable metabolism, coupled with well-defined genetic manipulation techniques, positions PNSB as ideal models for elucidating the intricacies of metabolic pathways, which hold significant implications for diverse biotechnological applications, including wastewater treatment, and as biofertilizers.
- PAR ID:
- 10506615
- Publisher / Repository:
- Open Access Government
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Open Access Government
- Volume:
- 42
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 2516-3817
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 402 to 403
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Harnessing redox power for biotechnological application in purple non-sulphur bacteria -
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