Crude glycerol is the main by-product of biodiesel production. A few microorganisms can transfer crude glycerol to 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) that is an important chemical material. There exist many limitations such as substrate inhibition, product inhibition when wild strains are used in 1,3-PD biosynthesis. In this review, based on the microbial transformation of 1,3-propanediol from glycerol and its limitations, some strategies using genetic engineering such as knockout or gene overexpression were summarized. The latest research progresses in biosynthesis of 1,3-propanediol from glycerol by genetically engineered strains are discussed.