2025 AIChE Annual Meeting

(272g) Invited Talks: Synergistic Upcycling of Greenhouse Gases into Value-Added Products Via Hybrid Chem-Bio Routes

Authors

Qiang Fei - Presenter, Xi'an Jiaotong University
Shuqi Guo, Xi'an JiaoTong University
The biological synthesis of high-value products from one-carbon greenhouse gases, such as methane and CO2, is a critical focus in the biomanufacturing field. To overcome challenges related to low biological utilization rates and the limited conversion pathways for these gases, our team integrated chemical and cellular catalysis techniques. By engineering methanotrophic cells, we successfully achieved the bioconversion of methane and CO2 into clean energy, fine chemicals, biomolecules, and polymer products, offering a promising strategy for advancing artificial carbon fixation. Through the development of renewable energy-driven photo/electrocatalytic materials and the exploration of key biological components of methanogens, we enhanced the selectivity of CO2 reduction to methane, improved intracellular electron transfer and bioenergy supply, and boosted carbon flux and conversion efficiency in cell factories. Additionally, we strengthened the directed synthesis capabilities of artificial cells. This work demonstrates the effective integration of chemical and biological catalysis, enabling the conversion of one-carbon gases into high-value products, including hydrogen, ectoine, succinic acid, cell proteins, carbohydrates, and biopolymers. Lifecycle analysis reveals that biomanufacturing processes based on methane and CO2 substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their environmental impact.