UC Riverside

P450s have significant industrial relevance in the field of biotechnology and sustainability. In cells, they allow for the utilization of various substrates for energy usage and storage. Their ability to oxidize various substrates can also be beneficial to create anything from biofuel precursors to oleochemicals. As Yarrowia lipolytica produces a wide variety of P450s that catalyze disparate reactions, it presents itself as an ideal target for enzyme production. Genetic engineering methods for Y. lipolytica have made enzyme overexpression in the yeast more obtainable. This project aims to utilize genetic engineering tools available to Y. lipolytica in an attempt to overproduce P450s. Specific genes relating to protein expression will be targeted. This research hopes to prove the viability and capacity of Y. lipolytica as a large scale producer of membrane associated proteins by proliferating ER creation through altering carbon flux in the organism. The experiments presented ascribe to quantify the potential of this microorganism with studies involving protein expression and cell morphology.