A review of recent advances in engineering bacteria for enhanced CO2 capture and utilization
Anthropogenic CO2 emissions drive global warming and climate change. Conventional CO2 capture technologies often prove ineffective and environmentally harmful. Biological CO2 conversion, particularly using bacteria, offers a promising alternative due to its selectivity and adaptability. This review examines recent advances in engineering bacteria to utilize CO2 and other one-carbon compounds. It covers microbial CO2 fixation pathways, engineered bacteria, genetic and metabolic engineering approaches, and the production of value-added products (biofuels, pharmaceuticals, bioplastics) from CO2. While cultivation costs pose an economic challenge, genetic engineering offers potential for increased production yields. This review contributes to the development of sustainable, industrial-scale CO2 mitigation technologies using bacteria-based capture and utilization.