Non Conventional Yeasts In Genetics Biochemistry And Biotechnology

Most information on yeasts derives from experiments with the conventional yeasts Saccaromyces cerevisiae and Schizossaccharomyces pombe, the complete nuclear and mitochondrial genome of which has also been sequenced. For all other non-conventional yeasts, investigations are in progress and the rapid development of molecular techniques has allowed an insight also into a variety of non-conventional yeasts. In this bench manual, over 70 practical protocols using 15 different non-conventional yeast species and in addition several protocols of general use are described in detail. All of these experiments on the genetics, biochemistry and biotechnology of yeasts have been contributed by renowned laboratories and have been reproduced many times. The reliable protocols are thus ideally suited also for undergraduate and graduate practical courses.

This volume scopes several aspects of non-conventional yeast research prepared by the leading specialists in the field. An introduction on taxonomy and systematics enhances the reader’s knowledge on yeasts beyond established ones such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biotechnological approaches that involve fungal utilization of unusual substrates, production of biofuels and useful chemicals as citric acid, glutathione or erythritol are discussed. Further, strategies for metabolic engineering based on knowledge on regulation of gene expression as well as sensing and signaling pathways are presented. The book targets researchers and advanced students working in Microbiology, Microbial Biotechnology and Biochemistry.

Yeast-based biotechnology traditionally regards the empirical production of fermented drinks and leavened bread, processes which surprisingly keep posing challenges and fuelling research. But yeasts nowadays also provide amenable cell factories, producing bulk and fine chemicals and molecules, and are increasingly used as tools in processes as diverse as food preservation or bioremediation. Importantly, yeasts are excellent models of cell and molecular biology for higher eukaryotes, including humans, contributing with key discoveries to understand processes and diseases. All taken, yeast-related business is worth billions, critically contributing to the economical welfare of many differently developed countries. This book provides some insights into aspects of yeast science and biotechnology less frequently addressed in the literature but nonetheless decisive to improve knowledge and, accordingly, boost up yeast-based innovation.

This is the first book to extensively and exclusively cover nonconventional yeasts - all yeasts other than S. cerevisiae and S. pombe. In addition to useful background information, the author includes detailed protocols allowing the investigation of basic and applied aspects for a wide range of these organisms. Due to the increasing importance of nonconventional yeasts in biotechnological applications, this book should become the standard reference for both pure and applied scientists working in the fields of microbiology and biochemistry.

This book discusses genome-based strategies to provide a holistic understanding of yeasts in Human Health and as model organisms in basic research or industrial production. Using numerous Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains and various non-conventional yeast species isolated from diverse origins, it describes essential biological processes, the biotechnological exploitation of yeast and pathogenesis control. It also demonstrates how functional and comparative genomics and the development of genome engineering tools are used in modern yeast research. The use of yeasts as experimental eukaryotic models increasingly gained prominence when several Nobel Prizes in Physiology/Medicine and Chemistry were awarded for innovative research, using yeast strains to elucidate molecular mechanisms in a wide range of human physiological processes and diseases, such as autophagy, cell cycle regulation and telomerase activity. This book offers useful insights for scientists in yeast research, clinical scientists working with yeast infectious models and for industrial researchers using applied microbiology.

In recent years, new yeast species have proven their value and novel biotechnological applications have emerged. This book compiles the multi-faceted genetic repertoire of several yeasts relevant to modern biotechnology, and describes their utilization in research and application in the light of their genetic make-up and physiological characteristics. Moreover, the book presents a thorough overview of a wide array of methodologies from classical genetics to modern genomics technologies that have been and are being used in functional analysis of yeasts.

I belie ve that the book would provide an overview of the recent developments in the domain of yeast research with some new ideas, which could serve as an inspiration and challenge for researchers in this field. Ne w Delhi Prof. Asis Datta Dec. 24, 2007 F ormer Vice-chancellor, JNU Director, NCPGR (New Delhi) Pr eface Yeasts are eukaryotic unicellular microfungi that are widely distributed in the natural environments. Although yeasts are not as ubiquitous as bacteria in the na- ral environments, they have been isolated from terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric environments. Yeast communities have been found in association with plants, a- mals and insects. Several species of yeasts have also been isolated from specialized or extreme environments like those with low water potential (e. g. high sugar/salt concentrations), low temperature (e. g. yeasts isolated from Antarctica), and low oxygen availability (e. g. intestinal tracts of animals). Around 1500 species of yeasts belonging to over 100 genera have been described so far. It is estimated that only 1% of the extant yeasts on earth have been described till date. Therefore, global efforts are underway to recover new yeast species from a variety of normal and extreme environments. Yeasts play an important role in food chains, and carbon, nitrogen and sulphur cycles. Yeasts can be genetically manipulated by hybridization, mutation, rare m- ing, cytoduction, spheroplast fusion, single chromosomal transfer and transfor- tion using recombinant technology. Yeasts (e. g.