Cellular regulation of enzyme production in filamentous fungi

• Grant number: 15/18829-7
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: July 26, 2016
• End date: November 04, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Gustavo Henrique Goldman
• Grantee: Gustavo Henrique Goldman
• Visiting researcher: Steven D. Harris
• Visiting researcher institution: University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), United States
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The efficient production of second-generation biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass is limited by the cost of fungal enzymes needed to liberate simple fermentable sugars from plant material. Our proposed project seeks to reduce these costs by exploring new avenues to increasing the yields of hydrolytic enzymes such as cellulases, glucanases, xylanases, and amylases from filamentous fungi. We will achieve this by leveraging the robust power of unbiased genetic screens in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans to uncover novel regulatory functions and morphogenetic pathways that control enzyme production. Mutants will be characterized for enzyme expression, activity, and localization to identify genotypes that exhibit the greatest promise for enhancing overall yields. Our approach will take advantage of the complementary expertise of Profs. Harris and Goldman, whose labs have a long history of productive interaction and collaboration. Ultimately, results from this project will greatly facilitate the design and construction of fungal strains with increased enzyme yields, which will lower input costs and thereby maintain the competitiveness of cellulosic ethanol as a biofuel. (AU)