Center for Innovative Technology

James Madison University

Steven C Slater

Douglas E Dennis

Ho Gun Rhie

The present invention provides methods for the production of poly-.beta.-hydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising the steps of (a) introducing into a prokaryotic host cell a vector construct which directs the expression of a sequence which encodes a poly-.beta.-hydroxybutyrate biosynthetic pathway, (b) introducing into the host cell a vector construct which directs the expression of one or more proteins which regulate acetate and propionate metabolism, (c) culturing the host cell in medium containing propionate or a derivative thereof, and (d) isolating poly-.beta.-hydroxyalkanoate copolymer from the cultured host cell.

Method of production of poly-.beta.-hydroxyalkanoate copolymers

The invention related to recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology and, more particularly, to a process whereby poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoate (PHA) copolymers can be synthesized in a recombinant host strain containing the poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) biosynthetic genes of Alcaligenes eutrophus.

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Cleveland Heights, OH, United States of America

Steven C Slater