Acetobacter spp. Bacteria producing biopolymers simultaneously.
Bio-based polymers, or biopolymers, can replace fossil oil-based plastics. The production route, based on the synchronous production of cellulose and a biopolymer called polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), can play a role in enhancing product efficiency while offering opportunities to reduce its carbon footprint and environmental impact.
Gudauskas' research aims to obtain bacteria capable of synthesizing both cellulose and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by transforming cellulose producting Acetobacteraceae bacteria. This project transferred genes originated from another bacteria species (Ralstonia eutropha) responsible for PHB biosynthesis, thus creating a bacteria able to produce both biopolymers simultaneously.