Leveraging synthetic biology for the commercialization of renewable fuels and chemicals aligning sustainable development goals.

The growing demand for biofuels and biochemicals, driven by the concerns over fossil fuel dependence, has led to significant interest in synthetic biology as a potential solution for biofuel production from alternative feedstocks. Synthetic biology offers innovative approaches by leveraging advances in DNA modeling, metabolic engineering, and microbial fermentation to optimize biofuel production, especially from non-food feedstocks like lignocellulosic biomass. These advancements allow for the creation of engineered potent microorganisms capable of producing biofuels/biochemicals more efficiently and sustainably. Among them, ethanol is the most widely produced biofuel, though challenges related to biomass recalcitrance and fermentation efficiency remain. Recent advancements in metabolic engineering of microorganisms such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zymomonas mobilis aim to improve the production of ethanol from various lignocellulosic feedstock thriving on variety of sugars in presence of inhibitors. The biofuels and bioproducts industry is evolving rapidly, and the companies from various sectors-ranging from biotechnology to chemical engineering-investing in biofuel technologies. However, challenges related to biosafety, intellectual property, and regulation persist, with concerns over the potential misuse of synthetic biology for biosecurity and biopiracy. This review explores the role of synthetic biology in biofuel and green chemicals production, focusing on its applications in the development of renewable energy sources.