Industrial biotechnology involves the use of enzymes and microorganisms to produce value-added chemicals from renewable sources. Because of its association with reduced energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste generation, industrial biotechnology is a rapidly growing field. Here we highlight a variety of important tools for industrial biotechnology, including protein engineering, metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, systems biology, and downstream processing. In addition, we

more »

... show how these tools have been successfully applied in several case studies, including the production of 1,3-propanediol, lactic acid, and biofuels. It is expected that industrial biotechnology will be increasingly adopted by chemical, pharmaceutical, food, and agricultural industries. A Ab bb br re ev vi ia at ti io on ns s: : ISPR, in situ product removal; MFA, metabolic flux analysis; 1 1, ,3 3--P PD D, 1,3-propanediol