Construction of a multiplex LGBA-01 strain S. cerevisiae able to express cellulotic enzymes

• Grant number: 23/15530-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: March 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Biochemistry of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Taisa Magnani Dinamarco
• Grantee: Gabriel Morais Casa de Souza
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The increased demand for sustainable energy is driving the development of biotechnological strategies for biofuel production. In this context, the efficient use of lignocellulosic biomass as a raw material is fundamental for the production of second-generation ethanol and other chemical derivatives, with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae being the most widely used microorganism in this process. Cellulosic biomass is an ideal raw material for this purpose, but the high cost of pre-treatment and enzyme cocktails to release fermentable sugars is a major obstacle to the process. The Consolidated Bioprocessing (CBP) concept is a promising approach for the economic conversion of plant biomass into fuels and chemicals and is described as an alternative for reducing cellulase consumption. This concept is based on the use of microorganisms that can hydrolyze the cellulosic and hemicellulosic fractions of pretreated biomass and simultaneously convert the released monomeric sugars into useful products. S. cerevisiae are the microorganisms of choice in CBP, as they can produce high yields of biofuels or their molecular precursors.However, this yeast is not capable of producing enzymes that degrade biomass efficiently. In this scenario, yeast engineering and synthetic biology stand out for allowing the expression of cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic enzymes in fermentative yeasts. In this context, this project is part of the objectives proposed in the ongoing Fapesp Regular Project (2021/08120-1), which aims to express cellulolytic enzymes in the industrial strain of S. cerevisiae LBGA-01. The results are expected to enable the implementation of second-generation technologies for the sustainable production of bioethanol and chemical derivatives from biomass at a much lower cost than current technology.