Metabolic Engineering for Expanding the Substrate Range of Yarrowia lipolytica

Economically viable biotechnology processes must be characterized by a favorable ratio between the production costs and the product market price. In the bioproduction of bulk chemicals, costs must be minimized so that the process is competitive relative to petroleum-based production. The substrate costs must thus be reduced by employing inexpensive carbon sources, such as industrial wastes. Unfortunately, the most convenient microorganisms for a bioconversion are typically unable to degrade such substrates. Fortunately, the discovery of new enzymes together with advances in synthetic biology has moved metabolic engineering forward, expanding substrate ranges. Here we review the latest advances made using the industrial yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, which can exploit various carbon sources to produce biofuels and chemicals.