An article by Kate Yandell highlights recent advancements in genetic engineering that has created strands of yeast better suited for biofuel production.
Baker's yeast plays an important role in ethanol production because it can covert sugar and starches into biofuel through the process of fermentation.
Normally, ethanol in high concentrations disrupts the potassium and proton gradients across the membranes of the yeast which means that the ethanol punctures the membrane of the yeast and disrupts the yeast's intracellular pH and potassium concentrations. So by engineering yeast to over-express proton and potassium pumps, researchers were able to increase ethanol production.
A separate group of researchers from Sweden were able to engineer strands of yeast that can withstand higher temperatures. This is an important milestone because currently, biofuel producers must use energy to constantly cool their yeast since the yeast generates heat as it ferments sugar.
Normally, yeast is most productive at 86 degrees Fahrenheit, but by engineering wild-strains of yeast to have an ERG3 mutation the yeast was able to thrive 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
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