Background: Efficient fermentation of cellulosic feedstocks is an essential step in the production of biofuel from plant materials. Glucose and xylose are the two most abundant monomeric carbohydrates found in hemicellulose. Saccharomyces cerevisiae the yeast most commonly used for industrial fermentation is able to utilize glucose but is unable to ferment xylose. However several Ascomycete yeasts that ferment and assimilate xylose have been identified including Pichia stipitis whose genome has recently been sequenced. Technology Description: UW–Madison researchers have identified 10 genes in yeast that are involved in xylose fermentation. These genes could be used to create an organism that can ferment both xylose and glucose for enhanced biofuel production. Applications: Biofuel production Patent Status: US8795996 Opportunity for collaboration: The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a set of genes that are involved in xylose growth and fermentation in yeast and demonstrate substantial utility in enhancing biofuel production.
1) Could lead to the development of an organism capable of efficiently fermenting both xylose and glucose 2) May enhance the production of ethanol and other biofuels 3) Significantly improved xylose growth and utilization when engineered in S. cerevisiae
US8795996 Opportunity for collaboration: The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a set of genes that are involved in xylose growth and fermentation in yeast and demonstrate substantial utility in enhancing biofuel production. (http://pimg-fpiw.uspto.gov/fdd/96/959/087/0.pdf)