Building an expanded bio-based economy through synthetic biology 

Biotechnol Adv. 2025 Dec 6:108775. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2025.108775. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The field of synthetic biology is essential to the continued development of a bio-based economy, creating mechanisms to supply carbon needed in the economy by both converting existing end-of-life wastes as well as by creating novel, purpose-grown and sustainable feedstocks. Here, we first discuss the near- and long-term resources available for use as feedstocks for bioconversion as well as the output molecules needed for building the foundation of an expanded bio-based economy. We then outline the organisms and phenotypic traits that are needed for the performance-advantaged chassis organisms of the future. Furthermore, we detail the advances, challenges, and opportunities in both microbial and plant synthetic biology relevant to expanding the bio-based economy. Finally, we explore technologies that have and will further enable advances in synthetic biology and the greater bio-based economy.

PMID:41360191 | DOI:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2025.108775