Development of a genomic atlas for rational engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae aiming second-generation ethanol production

• Grant number: 17/08519-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: September 01, 2017 - February 29, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Leandro Vieira dos Santos
• Grantee: Leandro Vieira dos Santos
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Fabio Cesar Gozzo ; Gonçalo Amarante Guimarães Pereira ; Jaciane Lutz Ienczak ; Marcelo Falsarella Carazzolle ; Sarita Candida Rabelo

Abstract

Second generation ethanol (2G) is a promising fuel obtained from renewable sources. The development of efficient microbial strains capable of converting the five-carbon sugar xylose into ethanol is an essential step in the 2G ethanol technology. Our group pioneered the development and the commercial release of the first yeast currently employed in the Brazilian 2G industry. Despite the construction of engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains for 2G ethanol production has been initiated decades ago, the identification of the genetic bases emerged during adaptive evolution processes, responsible for xylose assimilation and inhibitor tolerance, is still in its infancy and few information is available. The aim of this work is the development of a genomic atlas by means of the identification of molecular bases involved in the metabolism and regulation of xylose consumption and tolerance to inhibitors present in hydrolysates from lignocellulosic materials. The interactions found between these different metabolic pathways will allow a better comprehension of C5 metabolism and the complex signaling network that regulates the adaptation and tolerance to groups of inhibitory molecules. The technologies developed in this work will be used in the rational design of strains suitable for use in the production of 2G ethanol, making its production viable, assisting Brazil in leading the development of renewable biofuels. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(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)

BORELLI, GUILHERME; FIAMENGHI, MATEUS BERNABE; DOS SANTOS, LEANDRO VIEIRA; CARAZZOLLE, MARCELO FALSARELLA; GUIMARAES PEREIRA, GONCALO AMARANTE; JOSE, JULIANA. Positive Selection Evidence in Xylose-Related Genes Suggests Methylglyoxal Reductase as a Target for the Improvement of Yeasts' Fermentation in Industry. GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, v. 11, n. 7, p. 1923-1938, JUL 2019. (13/08293-7, 17/07008-8, 15/05578-6, 17/08519-6)

PALERMO, GISELE CRISTINA DE LIMA; COUTOUNE, NATALIA; BUENO, JOAO GABRIEL RIBEIRO; MACIEL, LUCAS FERREIRA; DOSSANTOS, LEANDRO VIEIRA. Exploring metal ion metabolisms to improve xylose fermentation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY, v. 14, n. 5, JUL 2021. (20/07918-7, 18/00888-5, 18/06254-8, 17/08519-6)

RIBEIRO BUENO, JOAO GABRIEL; BORELLI, GUILHERME; RIBEIRO CORREA, THAMY LIVIA; FIAMENGHI, MATEUS BERNABE; JOS, JULIANA; DE CARVALHO, MURILO; DE OLIVEIRA, LEANDRO CRISTANTE; PEREIRA, GONCALO A. G.; DOS SANTOS, LEANDRO VIEIRA. Novel xylose transporter Cs4130 expands the sugar uptake repertoire in recombinantSaccharomyces cerevisiaestrains at high xylose concentrations. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS, v. 13, n. 1, AUG 14 2020. (17/08519-6, 18/00888-5, 17/05078-9)

LIMA, CLEILTON SANTOS; NEITZEL, THIAGO; PIROLLA, RENAN; DOS SANTOS, LEANDRO VIEIRA; LENCZAK, JACIANE LUTZ; ROBERTO, INES CONCEICAO; ROCHA, GEORGE J. M.. Metabolomic profiling of Spathaspora passalidarum fermentations reveals mechanisms that overcome hemicellulose hydrolysate inhibitors. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, v. 106, n. 11, p. 15-pg., 2022-05-27. (17/08519-6)