1;Chen_FM.pdf;1 2;Chen_Ch01.pdf;10 2.1;Introduction of Bacterial Plastics PHA, PLA, PBS, PE, PTT, and PPP;10 2.1.1;1 Introduction;11 2.1.2;2 Monomers of Bacterial Plastics Synthesized by Microorganisms;11 2.1.3;3 Polymerization of the Bacterial Plastics;12 2.1.4;4 Comparison of Bacterial Plastics;12 2.1.4.1;4.1 Thermal Properties and Mechanical Properties;12 2.1.4.2;4.2 Molecular Weights;14 2.1.4.3;4.3 Biodegradability;15 2.1.4.4;4.4 Structural and Property Modification;15 2.1.4.4.1;4.4.1 Chemical Modification;18 2.1.4.4.2;4.4.2 Physical Modification;18 2.1.4.5;4.5 Applications;19 2.1.5;5 Conclusion and Future Perspectives;20 2.1.6;References;20 3;Chen_Ch02.pdf;26 3.1;Plastics Completely Synthesized by Bacteria: Polyhydroxyalkanoates;26 3.1.1;1 Introduction;27 3.1.2;2 Biosynthesis of PHA;29 3.1.2.1;2.1 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of PHA Synthesis;29 3.1.2.2;2.2 Prokaryotic PHA;32 3.1.2.2.1;2.2.1 Homopolymer PHA;33 3.1.2.2.2;2.2.2 Copolymer PHA;33 3.1.2.2.3;2.2.3 Block Copolymer PHA;33 3.1.2.3;2.3 Eukaryotic PHA;34 3.1.3;3 Microbial Synthesis of PHA Monomers;35 3.1.3.1;3.1 PHA Monomers Produced by Microorganisms;35 3.1.3.2;3.2 The Application of PHA Monomers for Synthesis of Other Polyesters;36 3.1.4;4 Application of PHA;36 3.1.4.1;4.1 PHA as Packaging Materials;36 3.1.4.2;4.2 PHA as Biomedical Implant Materials;37 3.1.4.3;4.3 PHA as Drug Delivery Carriers;38 3.1.4.4;4.4 PHA as Biofuels;40 3.1.4.5;4.5 PHA Monomers as Drugs;41 3.1.5;5 Conclusion and Future Perspectives;42 3.1.6;References;43 4;Chen_Ch03.pdf;47 4.1;Natural Functions of Bacterial Polyhydroxyalkanoates;47 4.1.1;1 Introduction;48 4.1.2;2 The Role of PHA in Cell Survival Under Stress;49 4.1.3;3 Molecular Evidence Supporting a Role for PHA Synthesis in Stress Endurance;51 4.1.4;4 Regulation of PHA Synthesis;53 4.1.5;5 PHA in Soil and in Plant-Microbe Interactions;55 4.1.6;6 Relevance of PHA in Microbial Communities;57 4.1.7;7 Utilization of the Energy Obtained from PHA for Environmental Cues;58 4.1.7.1;7.1 Chemotaxis;58 4.1.7.2;7.2 Exopolysaccharide Production;59 4.1.7.3;7.3 PHA as a Carbon and Energy Source for "Environmental Bacteria";60 4.1.8;8 Phylogenetic Aspects of PHA Metabolism and Their Relationship with the Environment;61 4.1.9;9 PHA Applications in Agriculture;63 4.1.10;10 Conclusions;64 4.1.11;References;64 5;Chen_Ch04.pdf;70 5.1;Towards Systems Metabolic Engineering of PHA Producers;70 5.1.1;1 Introduction;71 5.1.2;2 Traditional Metabolic Engineering of PHA Producers;72 5.1.2.1;2.1 Natural PHA Producers and Metabolic Engineering;72 5.1.2.2;2.2 Engineering of Non-PHA Producers;74 5.1.3;3 Systems-Biological Approach for PHA Production;78 5.1.3.1;3.1 Systems Metabolic Engineering for Strain Improvement;79 5.1.3.2;3.2 Metabolic Engineering Based on Omics Studies;80 5.1.3.3;3.3 Future of Systems Metabolic Engineering for PHA Production;84 5.1.4;4 Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectives;84 5.1.5;References;86 6.1;Microbial PHA Production from Waste Raw Materials;1 6.1.1;1 Introduction;1 6.1.1.1;1.1 General;1 6.1.1.2;1.2 The Increasing Interest in Polyhydroxyalkanoate Biopolyesters;1 6.1.1.3;1.3 Value-Added Utilization of 'Waste PHAs';1 6.1.1.4;1.4 The Need for Cheap Substrates and Their Occurrence;1 6.1.1.5;1.5 Seasonal Availability of Waste Streams;1 6.1.1.6;1.6 By-Products of Waste Streams;1 6.1.2;2 Available Waste Streams in Different Global Regions;1 6.1.2.1;2.1 Cheap Nitrogen Sources for Production of Active Biomass;1 6.1.2.2;2.2 Waste Lipids;1 6.1.2.3;2.3 Waste Streams from Biofuel Production;1 6.1.2.4;2.4 Surplus Whey from the Dairy Industry;1 6.1.2.5;2.5 Lignocellulosic Wastes;1 6.1.2.6;2.6 Starch;1 6.1.2.7;2.7 Materials from the Sugar Industry;1 6.1.2.8;2.8 Lactic Acid as a Versatile Intermediate Towards Follow-Up Products;1 6.1.3;3 Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectives;1 6.1.4;References;1 7;Chen_Ch06.pdf;127 7.1;Industrial Production of PHA;127 7.1.1;1 Introduction;128 7.1.2;2 Industrial Production of PHB;130 7.1.2.1;2.1 PHB Produced b