Patent ID: 8741624

Claim:
Genetically engineered Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) for use in producing polyhydroxyalkanoates comprising 4-hydroxybutyrate monomers, wherein the E. coli expresses enzymes selected from the group consisting of β-ketothiolase, acetoacetyl-CoA reductase and PHA synthase, and at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of acyl-CoA transferase and acyl-CoA synthetase, and wherein the E. coli is genetically engineered to express both aldehyde dehydrogenase and diol oxidoreductase, so that when the E. coli is provided with 1,4-butanediol and cultured under conditions where the 1,4-butanediol can be converted to 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA monomer which can then be polymerized to form polyhydroxyalkanoates comprising 4-hydroxybutyrate, the E. coli produces polyhydroxyalkanoates comprising 4-hydroxybutyrate monomers.