Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering have bioengineered yeast, growing on sugar, to increase it output of oils and fats that can be used in the production of biofuel. The researchers, led by Hal Alper were able to rewire yeast cells to enable up to 90% of the cell mass to become lipids, which can then be used to produce biodiesel. “We took a starting yeast strain of Yarrowia lipolytica, and we’ve been able to convert it into a factory for oil directly from sugar,” Alper said. The biofuel the researchers formulated is similar… Login to continue

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