Cells and methods for producing rhamnolipids

A genetically modified cell, which is able to form at least one rhamnolipid of general formula (I),

• wherein
• m=2, 1 or 0,
• n=1 or 0,
• R1 and R2 are organic residues having 2 to 24 carbon atoms,
• said cell having been genetically modified such that, compared to its wild-type, the cell has increased activity of at least one of the enzymes E1, E2 and E3, wherein:
• the enzyme E1 has at least 95% amino acid identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:
• 18, 78, 80, 82, or 2;
• the enzyme E2 has at least 95% amino acid identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:
• 20, 84, 86, 88, or 4;
• the enzyme E3 has at least 95% amino acid identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:
• 22, 90, 92, or 6;
• wherein said cell, compared to its wild-type further has increased activity of an enzyme E8, which catalyses rhamnolipid export from the cell into the surrounding medium;
• and
• wherein E8 has at least 95% amino acid identity to SEQ ID NO:
• 8.