Metabolic Engineering

Metabolic engineering is the practice of purposefully designing and modifying the metabolic pathways within an organism to achieve specific goals, such as overproducing a valuable chemical or degrading a harmful compound. By applying principles of molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology, engineers can introduce, delete, or modify genes to redirect the flow of carbon and energy through the cell's intricate network of biochemical reactions. This targeted optimization turns microorganisms or cells into efficient "microbial factories" for the sustainable production of pharmaceuticals, biofuels, bioplastics, and other specialty chemicals, forming a cornerstone of modern biochemical and bioprocess engineering.

1. Introduction to Metabolic Engineering
   1. Definition and Scope
      1. Definition of Metabolic Engineering
      2. Distinction from Related Fields
      3. Scope of Applications
   2. Historical Context and Milestones
      1. Early Developments in Metabolic Manipulation
      2. Key Breakthroughs in Genetic Engineering
      3. Emergence of Systems Biology
      4. Emergence of Synthetic Biology
      5. Notable Case Studies in the Field
   3. Goals of Metabolic Engineering
      1. Overproduction of Native Metabolites
      2. Production of Novel Compounds
      3. Degradation of Xenobiotics
      4. Improvement of Cellular Properties
   4. Relationship to Related Fields
      1. Systems Biology Integration
      2. Synthetic Biology Integration
      3. Biochemical Engineering Connections
      4. Interdisciplinary Nature