metabolic-engineering
Metabolic engineering optimizes the genetic and regulatory processes within plant cells to increase production of specific desired molecules through their biochemical pathways. In plant science, this technique enables researchers to enhance crop productivity, improve nutritional profiles, and increase the yield of valuable compounds by strategically rewiring cellular metabolic networks. This approach has significant implications for developing more efficient crops and producing plant-derived compounds of agricultural and pharmaceutical value.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-03-25
Scientists are learning to engineer plants to produce useful compounds like sugars and medicines more sustainably than current factory methods. This review explores the progress and potential of using plants as living biofactories for large-scale commercial production.
Plant systems combine photosynthetic carbon fixation with native saccharide biosynthesis, creating sustainable and potentially large-scale production advantages
Plant chassis represent a promising alternative to traditional microbial hosts for synthetic saccharide synthesis
Multiple technologies exist for plant-based saccharide production across various structural forms, though optimization strategies remain a key technical challenge