Oleaginous yeast-based advanced platform for drop-in fuel feedstock production from forest residues

The present project aims to develop a sustainable technological platform for microbial production of drop-in biofuel (alkanes) using renewable lignocellulosic biomass residues. Bio-based fuel production provides a distinctive platform for the economic production of energy rich drop-in fuel/fuel feedstocks. The major biofuel feedstock demand for the commercial production of drop-in fuel is currently mainly met by vegetable oil due to its easier availability. However, it is not a viable option due to its interference with the food supply chain. The present proposal is intended to develop a robust and economic technological platform to utilize lignocellulosic feedstock, such as wood chips and forest residues, for production of biofuel. Genetically modified oleaginous yeast will be used as a microbial catalyst to produce alkane-based drop-in biofuel. The proposed work will augment the Canadian research in the production of sustainable bioenergy using renewable sources field and will train HQP with skills and expertise relevant to the Canadian academic and growing biotechnological industrial sectors.