Production and characterization of poly(3-hydroxypropionate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) with fully controllable structures by recombinant Escherichia coli containing an engineered pathway

► An engineering pathway in recombinant Escherichia coli was constructed for producing novel biomaterials P(3HP-co-4HB). ► The pathway allows 3HP/4HB ratios in P(3HP-co-4HB) to be controllable. ► Flexible mechanical and thermal properties of P(3HP-co-4HB) were obtained.