Editorial: Synthetic Metabolism for the Third-Generation (3G) Biorefineries: Article No. 1214729

The demand for energy has increased significantly to meet the development of the economy and the increasing population. With the continuous consumption of energy, the shortage of non-renewable resources and the greenhouse effect have aroused worldwide attention. Therefore, the conversion of one-carbon substrates such as formate, methanol, and carbon dioxide (CO2) as sustainable feedstocks into high-value-added products is a potential way to address such concerns. Although one-carbon substrates can be converted into organics by natural pathways, these pathways may not be optimal due to the multiple enzymes involved and remarkable amounts of energy consumption. Thus, synthetic biology, as an emerging field, offers a new approach to boost one-carbon bioconversion.