New Research Advances Oil Production in Yeast

This is a bright-field microscopy of Yarrowia lipolytica. Gene editing in this yeast strain will lead to new precursors for biofuels and specialty polymers Credit: University of California, Riverside

CRISPR-Cas9 tool expedites production of biofuel precursors and specialty polymers in living systems. The development will lead to new precursors for biofuels, specialty polymers, adhesives and fragrances. The research involves the oleaginous (oil-producing) yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, which is known for converting sugars to lipids and hydrocarbons that are difficult to make synthetically. Until now, Y. lipolytica has been hard to manipulate at the genetic level, but the application of CRISPR-Cas9 will change that, allowing scientists to tap into its bio-manufacturing potential.

Unlike traditional gene-editing methods, CRISPR-Cas9 is cheap, easy to use and effective in almost any organism. “Our work with Y. lipolytica is a good example of how the CRISPR-Cas9 system is facilitating research in organisms that are biologically interesting but historically difficult to work with,” said Ian Wheeldon, an assistant professor, UCR’s Bourns College of Engineering. They showing that the system could be used to knock genes out and introduce new genes, both useful tools in bio-manufacturing.

The current work was the first step in a National Science Foundation-funded project to create long chain hydrocarbons -used to make specialty polymers, adhesives, coatings and fragrances -from yeast rather than synthetically.
“Currently, these molecules are produced from non-renewable raw materials derived from petroleum in processes that are inefficient and pose safety risks, so being able to produce them from cheap raw materials in a bio-manufacturing process is very appealing,” Wheeldon said.

Other researchers may use the system to create precursors for biofuels, reducing the current reliance on edible plant oils, Wheeldon said. http://ucrtoday.ucr.edu/34308