Genetic and Metabolic Engineering of Yeast to Produce Fusel Alcohols

Summary: Ethanol is a popular alternative to fossil fuels. The state of the art is that fungi such as the yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae can ferment ethanol from 6-carbon sugars typically glucose which is found in corn kernels and sugar cane. It is desirable that fungi can ferment 5-carbon sugars such as xylose and arabinose. These are found in some non-edible sources such as the corn cob husks and hardwoods. Once the fungi can ferment 5-carbon sugars we can use the cob and husks for fuel and use the kernels for food. Technology Description: This invention has metabolically and genetically engineered Saccharomyces Cerevisiae so that it can utilize 5-carbon Sugars to live and grow. This is a key development in the effort of further engineering the Fungi to ferment 5-carbon sugars into cellulosic ethanol. Applications: Fuels