CRISPR-Cas Technology for Bioengineering Conventional and Non-Conventional Yeasts: Progress and New Challenges

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Molecular Biology
• Microbiology

Background:

• The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR-Cas) system has revolutionized gene editing.
• Derivative technologies have emerged, applicable to both conventional and non-conventional yeast strains.
• Non-conventional yeasts offer advantages like robust metabolism and stress resilience for industrial applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current gene editing methodologies and applications in *Saccharomyces cerevisiae*.
• To explore the potential of non-conventional yeast strains in industrial biotechnology.
• To discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with CRISPR-Cas in yeast systems.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of CRISPR-Cas applications in yeast.
• Analysis of gene editing techniques in conventional and non-conventional yeast.
• Comparative assessment of yeast strain capabilities for biotechnological use.

Main Results:

• CRISPR-Cas systems are increasingly applied in *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* for various industrial purposes.
• Non-conventional yeasts present significant, largely untapped potential for biotechnological advancements.
• Successful gene editing in non-conventional yeasts is demonstrated across diverse species.

Conclusions:

• CRISPR-Cas technology offers powerful tools for engineering both conventional and non-conventional yeasts.
• Non-conventional yeasts are promising platforms for future industrial biotechnology, leveraging their unique traits.
• Further research is needed to fully realize the potential and address challenges of CRISPR-Cas in diverse yeast systems.