Clean Technology
Modified Cyanobacteria for Competitive Sugar Production
WARF: P160039US02
Inventors: Brian Pfleger, Andrew Markley
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing recombinant Synechococcus strains capable of higher glycogen productivity compared to the wild type.
Overview
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic microorganisms capable of producing far more sugar per acre than corn, sugarcane or sugar beet. Unlike other bacteria and yeast, cyanobacteria use atmospheric CO2 as their main carbon source. Moreover, the organism lends itself well to genetic modification, requires minimal nutrition and can be cultivated in locations that do not compete with food crops.
For these reasons cyanobacteria continue to be explored as an alternative sugar source for the production of biofuel and industrial feedstocks. For example, they produce and store glycogen that can be converted to ethanol or other chemicals through known saccharification and fermentation processes.
While the cost of growing cyanobacteria is currently higher than growing corn, the advancement of new strains and techniques has the potential to compete on price.
For these reasons cyanobacteria continue to be explored as an alternative sugar source for the production of biofuel and industrial feedstocks. For example, they produce and store glycogen that can be converted to ethanol or other chemicals through known saccharification and fermentation processes.
While the cost of growing cyanobacteria is currently higher than growing corn, the advancement of new strains and techniques has the potential to compete on price.
The Invention
UW–Madison researchers have developed strains of Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7002 with the highest reported glycogen or starch production rate of any cyanobacteria or algae. The strains are genetically modified to overexpress a glucose-1-phosphate adenylyltransferase.
Applications
- The modified strains could be freeze dried, lysed and used as a sugar source for many fermentation reactions including biofuel/biochemical production
- Could supplant or complement the use of biomass as a sugar source
Key Benefits
- Some of the highest glycogen production rates ever reported
- For the first time, cyanobacterial sugar production may compete with conventional practices.
Stage of Development
Strains have been generated and tested. The researchers’ glycogen screening method is currently being used in the lab to evaluate promoter libraries, gene knockouts/knockdowns and induction conditions in high throughput.
Additional Information
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For current licensing status, please contact Jennifer Gottwald at [javascript protected email address] or 608-960-9854