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.
