Recent Advances in Genetic and Metabolic Engineering for Drop-in Biofuel Production

This chapter explores recent genetic and metabolic engineering advances to produce drop-in biofuels. It provides a comprehensive overview of the techniques employed, including gene overexpression, gene cloning, gene therapy, and the knockout gene technique, which enhances microorganisms’ ability to produce drop-in biofuels. Likewise, the metabolic engineering approach is also explored, focused mainly on cellular metabolic pathways manipulation to boost drop-in biofuel production, particularly isoprenoids, alkanes/alkenes, and jet fuels. Despite the challenges like complexity of cellular metabolic networks, significant progress has been made. The chapter highlights several investigations, demonstrating the potential of these technologies to produce sustainable and renewable drop-in biofuels. The future of genetic and metabolic engineering for drop-in biofuel production appears promising. It offers renewable alternatives to fossil fuels, integration into existing industrial processes, and the potential for economic growth and job creation in the biofuel industry. While challenges persist, the potential benefits make this field an active research and development area. Overall, this chapter serves as a comprehensive guide, providing insights into drop-in biofuel production’s current state, challenges, and future directions through genetic and metabolic engineering.