A process for the microbial de novo synthesis of terpenes

The invention relates to the microbial terpene production. Known methods for the microbial production of terpenes are mostly based on the direct conversion of sugars. Therefore were alternative substrates, particularly alternative carbon sources, desirable for use in microbial terpene production. The invention relates to a methylotrophic bacterium comprising recombinant DNA encoding at least one polypeptide having enzymatic activity for the heterologous expression in said bacterium, wherein said at said at least one polypeptide with an enzymatic activity selected from the group consisting an enzyme of a heterologous mevalonate pathway, a heterologous terpene synthase and optionally a heterologous synthase of a prenyl diphosphate precursor. The invention further particularly relates to a process for the microbial de novo synthesis of sesquiterpenes or diterpenes from methanol and / or ethanol.