Collaborative network: modern genetic approaches to bust yeast tolerance to inhibitor-rich lignocellulosic hydrolysates

• Grant number: 17/24453-5
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Young Investigators Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2019
• End date: March 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Ana Paula Jacobus
• Grantee: Ana Paula Jacobus
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisa em Bioenergia (IPBEN). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Cheong Xin Chan ; Jeferson Gross ; Jonas Contiero ; Leandro Vieira dos Santos ; Luiz Carlos Basso ; Michel Brienzo ; Sarita Candida Rabelo
• Associated research grant(s): 22/14156-1 - Collaborative strategies for using microorganisms to produce value-added molecules from lignocellulosic hydrolysates, AP.R SPRINT; 20/00665-6 - Multi-User Equipment approved in grant 2017/24453-5 Flow Cytometer, AP.EMU
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/10899-2 - Collaborative Network: Modern Genetic Approaches to Bust Yeast Tolerance to Inhibitor-Rich Lignocellulosic Hydrolysates, BP.TT; 21/13906-4 - Protocols for quantitative trait loci mapping in saccharomyces cerevisiae based on mass selections and backcrossings, BP.DD; 19/22263-0 - Quantitative trait locus mapping of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain resistant to lignocellulosic inhibitors, BP.MS; + associated scholarships 19/19168-5 - Experimental evolution protocols to develop a lignocellulosic inhibitors tolerant S. cerevisiae PE-2 strain, BP.DD; 20/01140-4 - Collaborative network: modern genetic approaches to bust yeast tolerance to inhibitor-rich lignocellulosic hydrolysates, BP.IC; 19/10995-6 - Collaborative network: modern genetic approaches to bust yeast tolerance to inhibitor-rich lignocellulosic hydrolysates, BP.IC; 19/08579-4 - Collaborative network: modern genetic approaches to bust yeast tolerance to inhibitor-rich lignocellulosic hydrolysates, BP.JP.BIOEN - associated scholarships

Abstract

The successful establishment of a second-generation (2G) ethanol industry requires key technological innovations that are still awaiting effective implementation. One of them is the development of yeast strains capable of withstanding toxic compounds (i.e., inhibitors) during fermentation of lignocellulosic hydrolysates (LCHs) derived from the sugarcane biomass. This project poses the question of how tolerance to LCH inhibitors can be improved in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by the use of modern molecular genetics and synthetic biology tools. To address this important issue, we established a collaborative axis between groups belonging to the recently launched Institute for Research in Bioenergy (IPBEN, UNESP), the Brazilian Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory (CTBE), and key partners from the University of São Paulo (USP) and the University of Queensland, Australia. The collaborative network will take advantage of innovative experimental approaches, such as alternative adaptive laboratory evolution protocols, quantitative trait loci mapping, next generation sequencing, and flow cytometry-assisted competition and phenotyping assays, to uncover the genetic basis of yeast tolerance to inhibitor-rich LCHs from the sugarcane bagasse. The produced knowledge will be resourceful for rationally designing a yeast strain hyper-tolerant to LCHs, which will be constructed by applying modern molecular genetics tools and the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology. The resulting synthetic yeast is proposed to serve as a robust "chassis" upon which further genetic modifications (such as the metabolism of pentoses) might be added to yield a reference strain suited for cellulosic ethanol production. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

JACOBUS, ANA PAULA; GROSS, JEFERSON; EVANS, JOHN H.; CECCATO-ANTONINI, SANDRA REGINA; GOMBERT, ANDREAS KAROLY; MATTANOVICH, D; NIKEL, PI. Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains used industrially for bioethanol production. NON-CODING GENOME, v. 65, n. 2, p. 15-pg., 2021-01-01. (17/08464-7, 17/24453-5, 18/19139-2)

JACOBUS, ANA P.; BARRETO, JONECLEI A. .; BEM, LUCAS S. DE; MENEGON, YASMINE A. .; FIER, ICARO; BUENO, JOAO G. R.; SANTOS, LEANDRO V. DOS; GROSS, JEFERSON. EasyGuide Plasmids Support in Vivo Assembly of gRNAs for CRISPR/ Cas9 Applications in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY, v. 11, n. 11, p. 6-pg., 2022-10-18. (17/13972-1, 17/24453-5, 20/07918-7)

JACOBUS, ANA PAULA; STEPHENS, TIMOTHY G.; YOUSSEF, PIERRE; GONZALEZ-PECH, RAUL; CICCOTOSTO-CAMP, MICHAEL M.; DOUGAN, KATHERINE E.; CHEN, YIBI; BASSO, LUIZ CARLOS; FRAZZON, JEVERSON; CHAN, CHEONG XIN; et al. Comparative Genomics Supports That Brazilian Bioethanol Saccharomyces cerevisiae Comprise a Unified Group of Domesticated Strains Related to Cachaca Spirit Yeasts. FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY, v. 12, APR 15 2021. (17/24453-5, 13/15743-9, 18/15159-9)