Metabolic Pathway Engineering Service

CD Biosynsis offers advanced Metabolic Pathway Engineering Services to rationally design, construct, and optimize biosynthetic routes in various host organisms. This service is essential for maximizing the production of high-value compounds, from pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals to biofuels and industrial enzymes. We utilize a systematic Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) cycle, combining computational modeling, precise genetic manipulation, and high-throughput screening to eliminate metabolic bottlenecks, enhance precursor supply, and finely tune gene expression levels. Whether you need to introduce a novel pathway or optimize an existing one, our integrated synthetic biology platform delivers reliable, scalable solutions for your industrial biotechnology and research needs.

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What is Metabolic Pathway Engineering?

Metabolic Pathway Engineering is the precise application of genetic engineering and synthetic biology principles to redirect the metabolic flow within a host cell. This involves redesigning, adding, or deleting entire pathways or specific pathway steps to increase the flux towards a desired product while simultaneously minimizing the formation of unwanted byproducts. Key strategies include balancing enzyme activities, optimizing precursor availability, mitigating toxicity, and ensuring stable pathway integration into the host genome.

Key Components of Pathway Engineering

Pathway Tuning & Optimization Integration & Chassis Optimization

Pathway Tuning and Expression Optimization

Targeted Gene Modification Services

Gene Knockout for Optimization

Eliminate competing metabolic pathways or native degradation routes to redirect carbon flux towards the desired product.

Gene Overexpression for Enhancement

Boost the expression of rate-limiting enzymes within the target pathway to maximize product formation rate.

Promoter Engineering Service

Precise control of gene expression levels (fine-tuning) to achieve balanced pathway flux and prevent toxic intermediate accumulation.

Pathway Integration and Host Chassis Improvement

Stable Pathway Integration

Chassis Optimization Service

Engineering the host cell (chassis) to enhance tolerance, precursor availability, and overall robustness for biomanufacturing.

CRISPR-Based Pathway Integration

High-efficiency, site-specific insertion of entire metabolic pathways into the host genome for permanent, stable expression.

Transposon-Based Pathway Integration

Random or semi-random genomic integration of large pathways, useful for high-throughput screening of integration sites.

Our Metabolic Pathway Engineering Workflow (DBTL Cycle)

We utilize an integrated Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) framework to systematically deliver optimized metabolic pathways.

Design (In Silico)

Build (Genetic Construction)

Test (Screening & Analysis)

Learn & Optimize

Computational modeling (e.g., Flux Balance Analysis) and literature review to identify optimal pathway steps and bottlenecks.

Design of genetic parts (e.g., promoters, terminators, gRNAs) and pathway architecture (e.g., operons, modules).

Strategy finalization: Determine specific genes for knockout, overexpression, or tuning.

Utilize automated high-throughput methods (Golden Gate, Gibson assembly) to construct diverse pathway variants.

Employ CRISPR-Cas or Transposon systems to integrate the pathway into the host genome or plasmid.

Transformation of the genetic constructs into the target host organism.

High-Throughput Screening: Automated screening of thousands of strains using biosensors or analytical chemistry (HPLC/GC-MS) to quantify product formation.
Analytical Verification: Detailed analysis of the best-performing strains for titer, yield, and purity.

Data analysis informs the next round of design, identifying new bottlenecks or targets.

Refining expression levels (Promoter Engineering) and chassis robustness (Chassis Optimization).

Final delivery of the high-performing engineered strain and complete project report.

Advantages of Our Pathway Engineering Approach

Rational DBTL Framework

Our systematic Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle ensures efficient iteration, avoiding trial-and-error and accelerating time-to-market.

Precise Expression Tuning

Expertise in Promoter Engineering to finely balance pathway enzyme levels, crucial for preventing intermediate accumulation and toxicity.

Stable Genomic Integration

We prioritize stable pathway integration (using CRISPR or Transposons) over unstable plasmids, leading to robust strains for large-scale fermentation.

Multi-Host Expertise

Ability to engineer pathways in diverse hosts (E. coli, Yeast, Fungi, Algae), selecting the optimal cellular chassis for your target product.

Client Testimonials on Metabolic Pathway Engineering

"The Pathway Engineering Service from CD Biosynsis allowed us to introduce a 7-gene pathway into S. cerevisiae with stable genomic integration. Their promoter tuning expertise was key to achieving a $5\text{g/L titer, a result far exceeding our in-house attempts."

Dr. Emily Clarkson, VP of Bioprocess Development

"We were struggling with product toxicity issues in our E. coli strain. CD Biosynsis's Chassis Optimization service resolved the toxicity and boosted the final product yield by 50\%. Their understanding of microbial physiology is exceptional."

Prof. Kenji Tanaka, Director of Synthetic Biology Lab

"The systematic DBTL cycle provided clear, actionable data at every step. We particularly valued the promoter library screening, which allowed us to identify the perfect expression balance for our multi-enzyme cascade pathway."

Ms. Anya Sharma, Lead Engineer, Industrial Enzyme Co.

"We commissioned CD Biosynsis to support an intricate gene editing project with multiple targets. Their talent in producing high-quality work in a short period of time was impressive. Their solutions were custom made to suit our needs, and they went above and beyond to ensure our experiments worked. Their support has been a great asset to our research department and we look forward to further working with them."

Dr. Raj Patel, Principal Investigator, Department of Molecular Biology

"As a pharmaceutical company working to discover new cancer therapies, we require accurate, trustworthy gene editing solutions. CD Biosynsis did more than what we expected when it came to providing strong, accurate CRISPR/Cas9 solutions for our preclinical research. Their technical support team was excellent and responsive, and they quickly replied to our questions. This alliance has been pivotal in helping us move our drug pipeline forward. Thank you, CD Biosynsis, for your amazing service!"

Dr. Clara Rodriguez, Chief Scientist, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Spain

FAQs about Metabolic Pathway Engineering Services

Still have questions?

What is the difference between pathway engineering and traditional strain improvement?

Traditional strain improvement often relies on random mutagenesis and screening. Pathway engineering is a rational, targeted approach based on computational modeling and precise genetic manipulation (CRISPR/Cas9) to ensure predictable and stable results by modifying specific genes and regulatory elements.

How do you deal with pathway bottlenecks?

Bottlenecks are identified through flux analysis and metabolomics. We address them by overexpressing the rate-limiting enzyme, optimizing the promoter strength (tuning) to balance the flux, or by engineering precursor supply pathways in the chassis organism.

Can you engineer very large or novel pathways?

Yes. We have expertise in assembling and integrating large gene clusters and non-native (de novo) biosynthetic pathways into host genomes using advanced DNA assembly and CRISPR-based integration methods, ensuring stability and efficient expression of all pathway components.

What is "Chassis Optimization" in pathway engineering?

Chassis Optimization involves modifying the host cell's core metabolism to support the new pathway. This may include eliminating native byproduct formation, enhancing cofactor (NADPH, ATP) supply, or improving tolerance to toxic intermediates/products.

How long is the DBTL cycle for a typical pathway optimization project?

The duration varies, but a focused DBTL cycle for optimizing an existing pathway typically ranges from 2 to 4 months, while the introduction and initial optimization of a complex novel pathway may take 4 to 8 months.

Do you offer fermentation scale-up support?

While our core service focuses on strain engineering, we provide comprehensive documentation and data to support a seamless transition to large-scale fermentation. We can also offer consultation or collaborate with fermentation partners.

What do you want to be from you?

You can reach us using the following ways:

Technical Support: Share your research requests over the phone or via email.
Business collaboration: The work of the project starts after a business contract has been signed.
Support after sales : Tech support and follow up after the project has finished.

Does gene editing allow customisability?

Yes, we offer very customised gene editing solutions such as AAV vector capsid directed evolution, mRNA vector gene delivery, library creation, promoter evolution and screening, etc.

What is the process for keeping data private and confidential?

We adhere to the data privacy policy completely, and all customer data and experimental data are kept confidential.