LIPOYEASTS

Mobilising the enzymatic potential of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria and the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica to create a powerful cellular production platform for lipid-derived industrial materials

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'This proposal aims at developing a versatile fermentation platform for the conversion of lipid feed stocks into diverse added-value products. It is proposed to develop the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica into a microbial factory by directing its versatile lipid metabolism towards the production of industrially valuable compounds like wax esters (WE), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA’s), free hydroxyl fatty acids (HFA’s) and isoprenoid-derived compounds (carotenoids, polyenic carotenoid ester). Conversion of lipid intermediates into these products will be achieved by introducing heterologous enzyme functions isolated from marine hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria into Yarrowia. To achieve these goals we have assembled a team with a broad set of complementary expertise in microbial physiology, metabolic engineering, yeast lipid metabolism, metagenomics, biochemical and protein engineering. Already available for this project are a number of genetically engineered Yarrowia strains as well as a collection of genes encoding enzymes for the production of WE’s, 3-HFA’s, PHA’s and carotenoids. The following complementary research focus areas are proposed: (1) Engineering of metabolic precursor pools in Yarrowia lipolytica for the production of added-value products from lipids (INRA, UGe). (2) Conversion of metabolic precursor pools in Yarrowia to added-value products by overexpressing heterologous biosynthetic enzymes (UGe, INRA, UoM). (3) Discovery and characterization of novel aliphatic enzyme activities by metagenomic screening of marine hydrocarbonoclastic and other oil- and fat-metabolizing microbial communities (TUBS, UoN). The project is further complemented by: (i) the activity of a professional valorization company (Ascenion) providing IP protection and commercialization services; (ii) by proactive efforts to expand the project’s target products’ application potential (Avecom).'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Bacterial genes, incorporated into yeast a genome, can facilitate the conversion of lipids into carotenoids, wax esters, and biopolymers. These compounds are important for biodiesel production and general use in the chemical industry.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Genetically modified yeast can convert lipids into biopolymers, waxes, and other chemicals such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), potentially replacing the need for a very expensive chemical synthesis. All of these products are in high demand in chemical and biotechnological industries.

The Lipoyeasts project aimed to develop a strain capable of transforming various types of natural lipids into industrial-grade biopolymers. To achieve that goal, EU scientists blocked endogenous lipid production within the yeast, inserted bacterial genes responsible for target compound production, and selected strains that were heavily dependent upon an external lipid supply.

The project created genetically modified yeast, converting lipids into PHA with a 20-25% yield, the highest level ever achieved by any yeast strain. The scientists also identified the scope of lipids and fatty acids best suited for the PHA production by the yeast. A similar strategy was applied to generate yeast strains making wax esters, carotenoids, and biodiesel.

In addition, researchers have licensed their wax ester/biodiesel yeast production platform to a major biotechnology company in the United States and are submitting a manuscript describing the invention.

The Lipoyeasts project developed novel technology that not only replaces expensive (and sometimes hazardous) chemical synthesis, but also contributes to the elimination of oil spills via an environmentally friendly approach.