A breakthrough in yeast genome engineering by scientists from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, and the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) is a possible game changer for industry.
AWRI research manager Dr Anthony Borneman and the study’s lead author said it was a proof of concept that entirely new chromosomes can be built for specific industrial purposes.
“Unique genomic sequences from a range of yeast strains – including those used in wine, sake, and biofuel production – were assembled into a completely new chromosome in the laboratory strain.
“This additional genetic material imparted new characteristics, such as allowing the laboratory strain to ferment sugars it normally can’t use, widening the feedstocks available for industrial purposes,” Borneman said.
The research is an extension of a global engineered yeast project, Sc2.0, which is attempting to synthesise the entire genome of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an industrial workhorse, AWRI said, having been used in brewing, distilling, winemaking, and baking for thousands of years.
More recently, it has been important for producing ethanol for E10 petrol and a wide variety of industrial biochemicals.
The overall goal of this work was to address the lack of genetic variation in the Sc2.0 strain that could limit future industrial application.
The project aims to help researchers understand how a yeast genome is organised and how genomes might be improved to create more robust organisms.
It also provides a foundation for future specific purposes, such as creating new medications or biofuels. Macquarie University, the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology and the AWRI are partners in the Sc2.0 collaboration.
