Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 as a Probiotic Microbial Cell Factory: From Genetic Engineering to Fermentation

Hung, Jenny Ji-Chan; Tsai, Teresa Pei-Ju; Lan, Ethan I

doi:10.3390/fermentation12060265

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Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 as a Probiotic Microbial Cell Factory: From Genetic Engineering to Fermentation

by

Jenny Ji-Chan Hung

¹

,

Teresa Pei-Ju Tsai

²

and

Ethan I Lan

^2,3,*

¹

Ph.D. Degree Program of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 300, Taiwan

²

Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 300, Taiwan

³

Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 300, Taiwan

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Fermentation 2026, 12(6), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation12060265

Submission received: 29 April 2026 / Revised: 21 May 2026 / Accepted: 28 May 2026 / Published: 29 May 2026

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Metabolism Focusing on Bioactive Molecules)

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Abstract

Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) has transformed from a traditional probiotic into a versatile microbial cell factory through innovations in genomic tools and metabolic engineering. This review summarizes recent progress in utilizing EcN for biochemical synthesis. First, the development of genetic editing tools is systematically discussed, highlighting how these methods serve as the foundation for metabolic rewiring. Second, we examine EcN bioproduction capabilities, including its application as in situ Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBPs) for targeted disease interventions and its use in the ex vivo biosynthesis of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Third, optimization strategies for fermentation processes, focusing on diverse carbon source assimilation and industrial scale-up parameters, demonstrate the potential of this strain for commercial production. Through these advancements, EcN emerges as a practical platform for next-generation biomanufacturing and precision medicine.

Keywords: Escherichia coli Nissle 1917; metabolic engineering; probiotic

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MDPI and ACS Style

Hung, J.J.-C.; Tsai, T.P.-J.; Lan, E.I. Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 as a Probiotic Microbial Cell Factory: From Genetic Engineering to Fermentation. Fermentation 2026, 12, 265. https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation12060265

AMA Style

Hung JJ-C, Tsai TP-J, Lan EI. Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 as a Probiotic Microbial Cell Factory: From Genetic Engineering to Fermentation. Fermentation. 2026; 12(6):265. https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation12060265

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hung, Jenny Ji-Chan, Teresa Pei-Ju Tsai, and Ethan I Lan. 2026. "Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 as a Probiotic Microbial Cell Factory: From Genetic Engineering to Fermentation" Fermentation 12, no. 6: 265. https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation12060265

APA Style

Hung, J. J.-C., Tsai, T. P.-J., & Lan, E. I. (2026). Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 as a Probiotic Microbial Cell Factory: From Genetic Engineering to Fermentation. Fermentation, 12(6), 265. https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation12060265

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Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 as a Probiotic Microbial Cell Factory: From Genetic Engineering to Fermentation

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