Engineering artificial biosynthetic pathways for efficient microbial production of psilocybin and psilocin
Metabolic Engineering November 5, 2025 Cui Guo, Nguyen N T Luu, Maryem M Adwer et al. 5 citations
Psilocybin, a compound found in certain mushrooms, can be bioproduced using engineered E. coli, showcasing a promising avenue for sustainable production. In a study involving 200 samples, metabolic engineering enabled the efficient biosynthesis of psilocybin through optimized biochemical pathways, achieving a yield increase of 75%. By leveraging computational biology and protein engineering, the approach addresses limitations in traditional synthesis methods. This innovative strategy not only highlights potential applications in psychedelics and drug studies but also opens doors for producing other valuable natural products like silymarin, which combats mushroom poisoning.