TWB & ADISSEO collaboration
Adisseo and TWB confirm the success of the biological alternative for producing methionine and demonstrate the potentials of synthetic biology using a pragmatic industrial approach.
Adisseo, the industrial group specialized in animal nutrition, and TWB have been partnering since 2012 to find a biological pathway for producing methionine through renewable biomass. The methionine is an essential amino acid for animal nutrition, traditionally produced through petrochemical means.
This collaborative research project, known as SYNTHACS, was supported under the French “Programme d’Investissement d’Avenir” and funded by the ANR* (Agence Nationale de la Recherche – French Research Agency). It was carried out between the LISBP (under the responsibility of Professor Jean-Marie François – INSA Toulouse, France), ADISSEO and TWB.
The project has recorded conclusive initial results: based on the production of a few mg of a precursor of methionine at the start of the project, this production was multiplied more than a thousand-fold by the end.
Building on this success, Adisseo and TWB, in close cooperation with the teams from the LISBP, have announced the continuation of the project which has also gained support from ADEME (French Environment & Energy Management Agency). The aim is now to attain the industrialization phase milestone.
More information: Press release
Publications: Nature Communication, Jun 27, 8, 15828 – Metabolic Engineering, 237-245 DOI/10.1016/j.ymben.2017.12.005
