Polymerization of building blocks to macromolecules: Polyhydroxyalkanoates as an example

Si Jae Park, Soon Ho Hong, Sang Yup Lee

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Microorganisms synthesize many building blocks that are mainly used for the synthesis of macromolecules such as proteins, DNA, RNA, lipids, and so on. Because these macromolecules are indispensable for living organism, the metabolism is optimized to provide enough precursors to synthesize them. A polymer is made by covalently linking together simple small molecules called monomers. A general term to describe the process that leads to the formation of a polymer is polymerization. It should be noted that there are many ways to polymerize monomers to synthesize various macromolecules. Biopolymers are amongst the most sophisticated and complex polymers on earth, and it is important to understand how monomers or building blocks can assemble covalently into life-enabling polymers.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Metabolic Pathway Engineering Handbook
Subtitle of host publicationFundamentals
PublisherCRC Press
Pages4-1-4-20
ISBN (Electronic)9781439802977
ISBN (Print)9781439802960
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2009

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2010 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

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