From trash to treasure: engineering waste carbon utilisation in yeast (administered by Macquarie University) (2022-2025)

This project aims to engineer yeast to convert carbon dioxide- and methane-derived methanol into sustainable chemicals, foods, and pharmaceuticals. This project expects to generate new design principles for methanol metabolism by using the innovative approach of laboratory evolution along with state-of-the-art bio-engineering capabilities at Macquarie University and The University of Queensland. Expected outcomes of this project include new manufacturing processes for chemicals and foods, discovery of novel metabolism in yeast, and enhanced collaboration between Australia, Denmark, and the United States. This Project will provide benefits through sustainable bio-manufacturing, new economic activity, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.