Industrial biotechnology promises to make a significant contribution in enabling the sustainable development, and need the solid support from its basic discipline. As the basis of industrial biotechnology, industrial biology is to study the basic laws and mechanisms of biological behavior in industrial environment and to solve the key scientific problems for understanding, designing and constructing the organisms adapted to the application of industrial environment. In order to comprehend the status of industrial biology, we published this special issue to review the progress and trends of industrial biology from the three aspects of industrial protein science, cell science and fermentation science, respectively, for laying the foundation for the development of industrial biotechnology.
Biotechnology ; Fermentation ; Industrial Microbiology

With more than 20 years of development, Pichia pastoris system has been extensively used both on a lab and industrial scale. This review outlines the progress made on P. pastoris from aspects of protein expression, molecular engineering tools and methods, and biochemical production. This review also provides perspectives on the current challenges and future directions of this important system.
Bioengineering ; Industrial Microbiology ; Pichia

Industrial bioprocess is a complex systematic process and bio-manufacturing can be realized on the basis of understanding the metabolism process of living cells. In this article, the multi-scale optimization principle and practice of industrial fermentation process are reviewed, including multi-scale optimizing theory and equipment, on-line sensing technology for cellular macroscopic metabolism, and correlated analysis of physiological parameters. Furthermore, intelligent control of industrial bioprocess is further addressed, in terms of new sensing technology for intracellular physiological metabolism, big database establishment and data depth calculation, intelligent decision.
Bioreactors ; Biotechnology ; Fermentation ; Industrial Microbiology

Industrial fermentation is the basic operation unit of industrial biotechnology in large-scale production. Mathematical simulation of microbial cells and their reactors will help deepen the understanding of microorganisms and fermentation processes, and will also provide solutions for the construction of new synthetic organisms. In this paper, the characteristics of industrial fermentation system, the development of mathematical simulation, the classification, characteristics and functions of mathematical models are described in depth, and the development trend of whole fermentation system simulation is prospected.
Biotechnology ; Fermentation ; Industrial Microbiology ; Models, Biological

Polymalic acid, known as a bioactive material, is completely biodegradable, and has far reaching application potential in medical field. Combined with our own findings, we summarized advances in polymalic acid metabolism, microbial fermentation synthesis, and application research in the medical field. Finally, prospect for further research was addressed.
Fermentation ; Industrial Microbiology ; Malates ; chemistry ; Polymers ; chemistry

In the last few years, high-throughput (or 'next-generation') sequencing technologies have delivered a step change in our ability to sequence genomes, whether human or bacterial. Further comparative genome analysis enables us to reveal detailed knowledge of genetics or physiology of industrial important strains obtained in laboratory, to analyze genotype-phenotype correlations of mutants with improved performance. Based on identified key mutations or mutation combinations, Inverse Metabolic Engineering (IME) can be performed by using accurate genetic modification system. Recently, IME has been successfully used for strain improvement and has become a research hotspot, including improving substrate utilization, engineering the robustness of industrial microbes and enhancing production of bio-based products. Here, we describe recent advances in research methods of IME, with an emphasis on characterization of genotype-phenotype and the latest advances and application of IME. Possible directions and challenges for further development of IME are also discussed.
Industrial Microbiology ; trends ; Metabolic Engineering ; trends ; Mutation

Chlorinated hydrocarbons (CAHs) threaten human health and the ecological environment due to their strong carcinogenic, teratogenic, mutagenic and heritable properties. Heterotrophic assimilation degradation can completely and effectively degrade CAHs, without secondary pollution. However, it is crucial to comprehensively understand the heterotrophic assimilation process of CAHs for its application. Therefore, we review here the characteristics and advantages of heterotrophic assimilation degradation of CAHs. Moreover, we systematically summarize current research status of heterotrophic assimilation of CAHs. Furthermore, we analyze bacterial genera and metabolism, key enzymes and characteristic genes involved in the metabolic process. Finally, we indicate existing problems of heterotrophic assimilation research and future research needs.
Bacteria ; metabolism ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated ; metabolism ; Industrial Microbiology ; trends

The use of microbial cell factories to achieve efficient conversion of raw materials and synthesis of target substances is one of the important research directions of synthetic biology. Traditional industrial microorganisms have mainly used sugar-based raw materials as fermentation substrates. How to adopt cheaper carbon resources and realize their efficient use has been widely concerned. Formic acid is an important organic one-carbon source and widely used in industrial manufacturing of pesticides, leather, dyes, medicine and rubber. In recent years, due to the demand fluctuation in downstream industries, formic acid production is facing the dilemma of overcapacity, and therefore, requiring new conversion paths for expansion and extension of the related industrial chain. Biological route is one of the important options. However, natural formate-utilizing microorganisms generally grow slowly when metabolizing formic acid, and moreover, are difficult to be artificially modified by the absence of effective genetic tools. Construction of non-natural formate-utilizing microorganisms is another alternative strategy, but still in its infancy and has a huge space for further improvements. Here, we briefly summarize the recent research progress of biological utilization of formic acid, and also propose the future research focus and direction.
Fermentation ; Formates ; metabolism ; Industrial Microbiology ; trends ; Synthetic Biology ; trends

Industrial microorganisms and their products are widely used in various fields such as industry, agriculture, and medicine, which play a pivotal role in economy. Efficient industrial strains are the key to improve production efficiency, and advanced fermentation technology as well as instrument platform is also important to develop microbial metabolic potential. In recent years, rapid development has been achieved in research of industrial microorganisms. Artificial intelligence, efficient genome-editing and synthetic biology technologies have been increasingly applied, and related industrial applications are being accomplished. In order to promote utilization of industrial microorganisms in biological manufacturing, we organized this special issue on innovation and breakthrough of industrial microorganisms. Progress including microbial strain diversity and metabolism, strain development technology, fermentation process optimization and scale-up, high-throughput droplet culture system, and applications of industrial microorganisms is summarized in this special issue, and prospects on future studies are proposed.
Artificial Intelligence ; Fermentation ; Industrial Microbiology ; Industry ; Metabolic Engineering ; Synthetic Biology

Industrial fermentation focuses on realizing the uniform of high titer, high yield, and high productivity. Multi-scale analysis and regulation, including molecule level, cell level, and bioreactor level, facilitate global optimization and dynamic balance of fermentation process, which determine high efficiency of biosynthesis, targeted directionality of bioconversion, process robustness, and well-organized system. In this review, we summariz and discuss advances in multi-scale analysis and regulation for fermentation process focusing on the following four aspects: 1) kinetic modeling of metabolic pathways, 2) characteristic of cell metabolism, 3) co-coupling fermentation and purification, and 4) bioreactor design. Integrating multi-scale analysis of fermentation process and integrating multi-scale regulation are expected as an important strategy for realizing highly efficient fermentation by industrial microorganisms.
Bioreactors ; Fermentation ; Industrial Microbiology ; Kinetics ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways