Corynebacterium glutamicum was discovered in Japan in 1956 as a
natural glutamate producer. Its "microbial factory" qualities, such as
its physiological plasticity and robust catalytic functionalities, have
since facilitated the development of efficient production processes for
amino acids, nucleotides and vitamins.
This monograph illustrates how the information gleaned from complete
genome sequencing allows the rational engineering of the entire cellular
metabolism and how systems biology permits the further optimization of
C. glutamicum as a biocatalyst. Aspects of gene regulation, metabolic
pathways, sugar uptake, protein secretion, cell division and biorefinery
applications highlight the enormous biotechnological and biorefinery
potential.