The cell and P: from cellular function to biotechnological application

Phosphate is the element that arguably fulfills the most diverse cellular functions, including structure, energy and information storage, and energy and information transfer. While the phosphate inventory of a cell can be rapidly quantified by ever improving analytical techniques, the (dynamic) interplay of the molecules and the thereof resulting functions cannot easily be resolved. While the earlier is interesting to assess the minimum phosphate amount required for life, the latter is important to design engineering strategies for efficient phosphate use. Future developments in ‘phosphate biotechnology’ will use in depth understanding of the intertwined functions phosphate has in a cell. Finally, contributing technologies enable us to shift from a mineral phosphate-based economy to an economy that has a sustainable phosphate cycle. Strategies based on (engineered) microbes that potentially can contribute to this cycle are summarized.

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► Phosphate is the element that arguably fulfills the most diverse cellular functions.
► Better understanding of phosphate biology enables the design of strategies for its efficient use.
► First engineered cells with altered phosphate metabolism exist.
► (Microbial) phosphate biotechnology could contribute to a closed phosphate cycle.