# Genetic tools for engineering Zymomonas mobilis, Cereibacter sphaeroides and Novosphingobium aromaticivorans to improve production of bioenergy compounds

## TL;DR

This paper reviews genetic tools for three non-model bacteria to enhance their ability to produce bioenergy compounds.

## Contribution

It compiles and compares genetic tools for Zymomonas mobilis, Cereibacter sphaeroides, and Novosphingobium aromaticivorans to improve biofuel production.

## Key findings

- Each organism has unique metabolic pathways for producing bioenergy compounds.
- Shared genetic toolkits can optimize these bacteria for sustainable biofuel production.
- Genetic tools can enhance resilience and efficiency in extreme environments.

## Abstract

Limited genetic tools for non-model bacteria are one of the limiting factors for genetic studies. This review compiles genetic tools used for three non-model alpha-proteobacteria, such as Zymomonas mobilis, Cereibacter (Rhodobacter) sphaeroides, and Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, which hold significant potential to produce industrially essential bioenergy compounds due to their distinctive metabolic pathways and resilience in extreme environments. Each of these strains has a unique genetic profile that enables them to efficiently carry out key reactions relevant to producing bioenergy compounds, such as converting sugars into bioenergy compounds and breaking down lignotoxins. Genetic tools can further optimize these strains for enhanced bioenergy compound production. This review explores the metabolic advantages of these organisms. It highlights the available array of genetic toolkits that can be shared among them to unlock their full potential for sustainable biofuel production.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12934-025-02845-3.