Super-fermenting fungus genome sequenced, to be harnessed for biofuels

Today, another major research step was announced by researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (DOE JGI) (earlier post)and collaborators at the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL). They succeeded in characterising the genetic blueprint of the fungus Pichia stipitis and identified the numerous genes responsible for its fermenting and cellulose-bioconverting prowess. The research results, accompanied by an analysis of these metabolic pathways, is featured in the March 4 advanced online publication of Nature Biotechnology. Clearly, biotechnology and genomics are en route to make cellulosic ethanol production a reality.

Biopact