Synthetic biology of extremophiles: a new wave of biomanufacturing

Microbial biomanufacturing, powered by the advances of synthetic biology, has attracted growing interest for the production of diverse products. In contrast to con-ventional microbes, extremophiles have shown better performance for low-cost production owing to their outstanding growth and synthesis capacity under stress conditions, allowing unsterilized fermentation processes. We review increasing numbers of products already manufactured utilizing extremophiles in recent years. In addition, genetic parts, molecular tools, and manipulation approaches for extremophile engineering are also summarized, and challenges and opportuni-ties are predicted for non-conventional chassis. Next-generation industrial bio-technology (NGIB) based on engineered extremophiles promises to simplify biomanufacturing processes and achieve open and continuous fermentation, without sterilization, and utilizing low-cost substrates, making NGIB an attractive green process for sustainable manufacturing.

Automated summary

Microbial biomanufacturing has gained increasing interest for diverse product production, with extremophiles showing better performance for cost-effective production due to their exceptional growth and synthesis capacity under stress conditions. This review highlights the growing number of products already manufactured using extremophiles and also summarizes genetic parts, molecular tools, and manipulation approaches for extremophile engineering. Next-generation industrial biotechnology based on engineered extremophiles promises to simplify biomanufacturing processes, achieve open and continuous fermentation without sterilization, and utilize low-cost substrates, making it an attractive green process for sustainable manufacturing.