Biotechnological Production of Biomaterials and Their Applications

Biotechnology is a diverse and thriving sector that overlaps with many industries, from energy to medicine, manufacturing to materials. There is a global interest in the development of advanced sustainable biomaterials as well as high-efficiency, low-cost manufacturing strategies. In the first part of this chapter, we review the bacteria bioproduction of polymers 340like polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polylactates, cellulose, and amyloid aggregates, or compounds like 1-3 propanediol as a precursor of various materials. We also discuss applications in the emerging field of bioconcretes. Although viruses are not considered living microorganisms, the biopolymers they produce have been successfully used in the life sciences, bioelectronics, and nanomaterials. Hence, in the second part, we review recent biotechnological applications of the viral capsid because of its tremendous potential as a biocompatible material.