Process for the biological production of 1,3-propanediol with high yield

A method for the bioproduction of 1,3-propanediol comprising contacting with a suitable carbon substrate under suitable conditions a E. coli strain comprising:

• a) a disrupted endogenous phosphoenolpyruvate-glucose phosphotransferase system comprising one or more of:
• i) a genetically disrupted endogenous ptsH gene preventing expression of active phosphocarrier protein;
• ii) a genetically disrupted endogenous ptsl gene preventing expression of active phosphoenolpyruvate-protein phosphotransferase;
• and
• iii) a genetically disrupted endogenous crr gene preventing expression of active glucose-specific IIA component;
• b) a genetically up regulated endogenous galP gene encoding active galactose-proton symporter, said up regulation resulting in an increased galactose-proton symporter activity, wherein the up regulation is produced by:
• i) introducing additional copies of said gene into said E. coli strain followed by integration;
• or
• ii) replacing a native regulatory sequence with a strong non-native promoter or altered native promoter;
• c) a genetically up regulated endogenous glk gene encoding active glucokinase, said up regulation resulting in an increased glucokinase activity, wherein the up regulation is produced by:
• i) introducing additional copies of said gene into said E. coli strain followed by integration;
• or
• ii) replacing a native regulatory sequence with a strong non-native promoter or altered native promoter;
• and
• d) a genetically down regulated endogenous gapA gene encoding active glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, said down regulation resulting in a reduced glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity;
• whereby said E. coil strain is capable of bioconverting a suitable carbon source to 1,3-propanediol.