Case study 04

Bioplastics

The Netherlands sugar beet corporation Van der Sucker intends to diversify into novel products using beet as a molecular factory. You have been hired to lead the novel products team and the first group of products that you have considered is polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastics. You have been asked to produce a proposal for engineering sugar beet to produce PHAs. The contents of the report are at your discretion but it should include a description of the genes you intend to use, an explanation of the pathways involved and an explanation of the planned location of gene expression in the plant. A detailed description of the vectors and the transformation system to be used should be included. You should also give a clear indication of how you will check the validity of the constructs, test for transformation and PHA production. You should also suggest possible methods for increasing production levels of the PHA and for modifying the plastics produced. An indication of the cost benefits of using a plant-based system should also be included. Unless directly relevant to specific gene isolation or analytical procedures, it is not necessary to include details of standard molecular or tissue culture techniques. The proposal should be fully risk assessed.

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Oxford University Press, Online Resource Centre, Case study 04.

Case study 04