At IYS we have optimized directed evolution techniques to improve industrial yeast strains. The process mimics natural evolution in the laboratory by generating genome changes followed by selection for survival of the fittest. For some value- adding traits this approach is the method of choice. Strain derived using directed evolution are non-GM. We have successfully modified distilling yeast to produce a 20% increase in alcohol yield from neutral spirit fermentations.
Ethanol tolerant yeasts generated by adapted evolution: left panel parent strain; right panel, variant tolerant to high ethanol.
