Methods and options for the heterologous production of complex natural products

Heterologous biosynthesis has emerged as a viable route to access the beneficial properties of natural products. This development primarily owes to the difficulties encountered when using traditional methods of natural product discovery and production. However, the process of heterologous biosynthesis also presents a number of challenges that have produced an array of creative solutions and noteworthy success stories. In this review, a historical perspective will be presented, together with an analysis of the experimental approaches thus far used to address the unique issues associated with heterologous natural product biosynthesis.