Engineering of non-model eukaryotes for bioenergy and biochemical production

Deon Ploessl; Yuxin Zhao; Zengyi Shao

doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102869

Engineering of non-model eukaryotes for bioenergy and biochemical production

Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Feb:79:102869. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102869. Epub 2022 Dec 28.

Authors

Deon Ploessl¹, Yuxin Zhao², Zengyi Shao³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA; NSF Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
² Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA; NSF Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA; DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
³ Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA; NSF Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA; DOE Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Interdepartmental Microbiology Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA; Bioeconomy Institute, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA; The Ames Laboratory, Ames, IA, USA. Electronic address: zyshao@iastate.edu.

PMID: 36584447
DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102869

Abstract

The prospect of leveraging naturally occurring phenotypes to overcome bottlenecks constraining the bioeconomy has marshalled increased exploration of nonconventional organisms. This review discusses the status of non-model eukaryotic species in bioproduction, the evaluation criteria for effectively matching a candidate host to a biosynthetic process, and the genetic engineering tools needed for host domestication. We present breakthroughs in genome editing and heterologous pathway design, delving into innovative spatiotemporal modulation strategies that potentiate more refined engineering capabilities. We cover current understanding of genetic instability and its ramifications for industrial scale-up, highlighting key factors and possible remedies. Finally, we propose future opportunities to expand the current collection of available hosts and provide guidance to benefit the broader bioeconomy.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Eukaryota* / genetics
Gene Editing / methods
Genetic Engineering*
Metabolic Engineering / methods