Harnessing the catabolic diversity of rhodococci for environmental and biotechnological applications

The field of Rhodococcus cell engineering is rapidly advancing because of the availability of improved genetic tools and increased insights in their broad catabolic and biochemical diversity. Rhodococci harbor large linear plasmids that may contribute to their catabolic diversity. In addition, multiple pathways and gene homologs are often present, thus further increasing Rhodococcus catabolic versatility and efficiency. The recent development of effective genetic tools for Rhodococcus, such as unmarked gene deletion, transposon-based mutagenesis, and gene expression systems, now allows the construction of biocatalysts with desirable properties for industrial purposes. This is exemplified here by a description of cell engineering of biocatalysts for improved desulphurization and steroid biotransformation.