Genetically modified yeast species and fermentation processes using genetically modified yeast
AssigneeCargill, Incorporated
InventorsVineet Rajgarhia, Kari Koivuranta, Merja Penttilä, Marja Ilmen, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Christopher Kenneth Miller, Stacey Olson, Laura Ruohonen
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Abstract
Yeast cells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications', include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.
Claims20
A genetically modified K. marxianus cell having a genome and a functional, exogenous xylose isomerase gene, wherein the exogenous xylose isomerase gene is operatively linked to promoter and terminator sequences that are functional in the yeast cell, and the modified yeast cell further has a deletion or disruption of a native gene that produces an enzyme that is specific to the conversion of xylose to xylitol.
A genetically modified C. sonorensis cell having a genome and a functional, exogenous xylose isomerase gene, wherein the exogenous xylose isomerase gene is operatively linked to promoter and terminator sequences that are functional in the yeast cell, and the modified yeast cell further has a deletion or disruption of a native gene that produces an enzyme that is specific to the conversion of xylose to xylitol.
A genetically modified yeast cell of the genera Kluyveromyces, having integrated into its genome a functional, exogenous xylose isomerase gene, wherein the exogenous xylose isomerase gene is operatively linked to promoter and terminator sequences that are functional in the yeast cell.
A genetically modified yeast cell of the genera Kluyveromyces, Candida, Pichia, Brettanomyces or Pachysolen having a genome and a functional, exogenous xylose isomerase gene, wherein the exogenous xylose isomerase gene is operatively linked to promoter and terminator sequences that are functional in the yeast cell, and which further contains a functional, exogenous xylulokinase gene operatively linked to promoter and terminator sequences that are functional in the yeast cell.
A genetically modified K. marxianus cell having a deletion or disruption of a native gene that produces an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of xylose to xylitol.
A genetically modified C. sonorensis cell having a deletion or disruption of a native gene that produces an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of xylose to xylitol.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.