Computational tools for nonnatural pathway design: Algorithms, applications, and challenges.

ABSTRACT: With the rapid advancements in sustainable development and green chemistry, biotransformation has become increasingly pivotal in the synthesis of bulk chemicals and high-value products. Because natural evolution predominantly favors cellular survival, many valuable compounds, such as 2,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid and 1,2-butanediol, lack corresponding biosynthetic pathways in nature. This limitation calls for the development of fully nonnatural metabolic pathways. By enabling modular design and incorporating novel reactions, such pathways allow efficient de novo synthesis of compounds without known natural biosynthetic pathways. Nonetheless, their implementation may introduce new challenges, such as increased metabolic burden and the accumulation of toxic intermediates. Expanding the s

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12709947 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature