Frederic Y.-H. Chen

Abstract As methanol can be derived from either CO2 or methane, methanol economy may play a role in combating climate change. In this scenario, rapid utilization of methanol by an industrial microorganism is the first and crucial step for efficient utilization of the C1 feedstock chemical. Here, we report the development of a methylotrophic E. coli strain (SM6) with a doubling time of 3.5 hours, outpacing that of common native methylotrophs.

Highlights • E. coli was engineered to grow on methanol alone by rational design and evolution • A doubling time of 8.5 h and maximum OD of 2 were achieved • Formaldehyde-induced DNA-protein crosslinking was identified and solved • Copy number variation of a region spanning 70kb facilitates carbon source shifts Summary Methanol, being electron rich and derivable from methane or CO2, is a potentially renewable one-carbon (C1) feedstock for microorganisms.

Highlights • E. coli was engineered to grow on methanol alone by rational design and evolution • A doubling time of 8.5 h and maximum OD of 2 were achieved • Formaldehyde-induced DNA-protein crosslinking was identified and solved • Copy number variation of a region spanning 70kb facilitates carbon source shifts Summary Methanol, being electron rich and derivable from methane or CO 2, is a potentially renewable one-carbon (C1) feedstock for microorganisms.