Biosynthesis of advanced biofuels in microbial cell factories

Advanced alcohols, fatty acids, and sesquiterpenes are promising renewable liquid fuels. This article reviews the latest progress in synthesizing these renewable liquid fuels using microbial cell factories. Beyond conventional metabolic engineering, the use of sustainable carbon sources, the design of artificial pathways, and the application of cell compartmentalization have promoted the development of microbial cell factories. The characterization of polycyclopropane fatty acids and the identification of noncanonical terpenoid enzymes and pathways further expand the structural space accessible to biosynthesis, enabling the development of fuel candidates with higher energy content and favorable combustion properties. At the same time, progress in gene editing technologies has provided efficient tools for the evolution of microbial chassis. These innovative strategies and technological breakthroughs lay a solid foundation for the development of high-performance renewable biofuels, accelerating the transition toward clean energy.