Abstract - Herrmann

In our work, we aim to establish the bioproduction of aromatic solvents using whole-cell catalysis. Aromatic solvents are highly hydrophobic compounds with severe cell toxicity due to accumulation in the membrane and disruption of membrane functions. Therefore, we employ Pseudomonas taiwanensis VLB120 as robust production chassis, showcasing extraordinary tolerance to aromatic solvents which is mainly conferred by an active solvent exporter. We demonstrate the implementation of synthetic pathways for de novo production of two industrially important aromatic solvents, anisole and ethylbenzene. We leverage rational metabolic engineering, enzyme engineering, and adaptive laboratory evolution to optimize pathways towards higher titers and yields to approach the solubility limit of these hydrophobic products. The final goal of our work is to achieve the formation of a second phase of the solvent, which would allow one to harvest the pure product from the bacterial culture.

Felix Herrmann (Forschungszentrum Jülich, IBG-1), Benedikt Wynands (Forschungszentrum Jülich, IBG-1), and Nick Wierckx (Forschungszentrum Jülich, IBG-1)