Synthetic Biology for Biofuels in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Saccharomyces cerevisiae has crucial features to facilitate successful genetic engineering and industrial scale fermentations for producing drop-in biofuels. Short-chain alcohols, fatty acid derivatives, and isoprenoids are potential drop-in biofuels where their biosynthesis can help mitigate climate change while ensuring sustainability of energy supply. Here, we review the drop-in biofuel molecules that have been produced in engineered S. cerevisiae. Efforts to diversify and optimize biofuel production using synthetic biology and metabolic engineering approaches are discussed. Much improvement will be required to achieve commercial viability.