title: Bacterial polymers: biosynthesis, modifications and applications.
abstract: Bacteria can synthesize a wide range of biopolymers that serve diverse biological functions and have material properties suitable for numerous industrial and medical applications. A better understanding of the fundamental processes involved in polymer biosynthesis and the regulation of these processes has created the foundation for metabolic- and protein-engineering approaches to improve economic-production efficiency and to produce tailor-made polymers with highly applicable material properties. Here, I summarize the key aspects of bacterial biopolymer production and highlight how a better understanding of polymer biosynthesis and material properties can lead to increased use of bacterial biopolymers as valuable renewable products.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand. B.Rehm@massey.ac.nz
authors.forename: Bernd H A
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Rehm
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D053898:Biosynthetic Pathways / Q000235:genetics; D005818:Genetic Engineering
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers